GSK announces £400m investment in new R&D facility in Cambridge

Image: 4000 Discovery Drive, Cambridge Biomedical Campus - courtesy Scott Brownrigg / Prologis

GSK plc has announced plans to establish a major new global R&D centre in Cambridge, UK, as part of the company’s plan to accelerate its R&D pipeline. The new 300,000 square foot site, on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in the heart of the UK’s life sciences “Golden Triangle,” will be home to GSK’s R&D operations in the UK and more than 1,000 GSK scientists.

The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is one of the largest biomedical campuses in Europe and GSK says that the new location will provide GSK scientists with direct access to a world-class ecosystem of biomedical research, patient care and academia, enabling translational research by bridging laboratory science with clinical practice.

It states:

'The GSK site will feature state-of-the-art, tech-enabled labs and infrastructure to support research in the company’s focus areas of Oncology, Respiratory, Hepatology, Vaccines and HIV.

'The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is home to more than 22,000 people working in life sciences, with more than 37,000 people visiting every day. More than 1 million patients are treated on the campus every year, and over 470 biopharma/ biotech and AI companies are located there. These include many existing GSK partners and collaborations, such as, the Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery; Cambridge-GSK Translational Immunology Collaboration; Cambridge-GSK Metabolic Science Collaboration; Cambridge Immune Ageing; GSK-Teichmann Lab; and GSK’s Clinical Unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.'

Luke Miels, Chief Executive Officer, GSK,: “This investment will accelerate our R&D and help us deliver new, competitive products. It integrates GSK further into one of the world’s leading centres of knowledge and demonstrates the attractiveness of the UK’s life sciences ecosystem.”

Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK, : “Cambridge has built one of the world’s best life sciences ecosystems, with leading universities, hospitals and biotech companies. The campus provides exceptional opportunities for collaboration. With our existing connections and experience, we see this move as a catalyst for faster, bolder medicines discovery by accelerating the science that matters most for GSK's next wave of medicines.”

The site in Cambridge, currently in development by Prologis, will be part of GSK’s wider UK network of collaboration with leading academic institutions and pioneering scientific organisations, including the University of Oxford, Kings College London, Imperial College, the University of Manchester, Wellcome and the Crick Institute.

As a result of the planned move to Cambridge, GSK will vacate its R&D site at Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with a phased move for employees by 2029. Alongside the move to Cambridge, GSK will also upgrade its existing R&D laboratories at Ware in Hertfordshire and move some employees there to create a fully integrated drug development and commercial manufacturing scale up capability. Overall, the company plans to invest £400 million over 3 years in support of these changes.

Meanwhile architects practice, Scott Brownrigg, is highlighting that planning committee approval has been gained for 4000 Discovery Drive, the final commercial research and development building within the Phase 2 expansion of Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The firm says:

'The six-storey building will provide 9610 sq m of high-quality, flexible laboratory and office space, further strengthening Cambridge Biomedical Campus's position as a leading destination for life sciences innovation and research.

Designed to meet the evolving needs of occupiers, 4000 Discovery Drive will offer flexible floorplates capable of accommodating up to two tenants per floor, with space configured as approximately 60% laboratory and 40% office accommodation. Ground-floor end-of-journey facilities will support sustainable travel and enhance the experience for building users.

'The building has been carefully designed to complement its neighbouring commercial developments, 1000 Discovery Drive (completed 2022), 2000 Discovery Drive (completing September 2026) and 3000 Discovery Drive (planning permission in place), while creating a strong and distinctive presence at the eastern edge of the current campus. Acting as both a gateway and landmark building, it will provide a prominent visual marker for visitors arriving at the campus.

'Sustainability has been a key driver throughout the design process. The project is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and has been developed as a low embodied carbon scheme, drawing on the Cambridge stone vernacular and tracking performance against the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UK NZCBS). In recognition of the area's water-stressed environment, the design incorporates a comprehensive sustainable drainage strategy, including rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse and SuDS features.

'The development will also benefit from the new Cycle Park currently under construction, reinforcing the campus's commitment to active and sustainable travel.

'Architecturally, 4000 Discovery Drive takes a contemporary approach to a refined and ordered tripartite division of classical facades through geometry, rhythm and subtly varied texture and tone. Responding to the established masterplan while looking ahead to future connections with Babraham and the planned Phase 3 and Phase 4 expansions of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the building has been conceived to present equally strong elevations on all sides.

'The building’s solid stone façade has been carefully engineered to reduce solar gain, while its western elevation is articulated with deep vertical fins that overlook the southern courtyard. This courtyard forms the heart of the development, with landscaping sitting above the covered 450-space cycle park, creating a striking focal point for the scheme. The surrounding landscape has been thoughtfully designed to foster interaction and collaboration, establishing what the design team refers to as “corridors of conversation” that animate and connect the public realm.'

Image below: courtesy of Scott Brownrigg