AstraZeneca, led by CEO Pascal Soriot, is investing £650 million in the UK to boost life sciences and pandemic preparedness.

The company is allocating £450 million to expand its Liverpool manufacturing site and £200 million to grow its Cambridge presence.

The expansion is poised to create space for 1,000 employees in Cambridge.

UK government policies, including a competitive business tax regime, are instrumental in attracting this investment, as noted by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

Soriot has expressed a strong belief in the UK as a hub for life sciences, emphasizing AstraZeneca's commitment to innovation and patient care.

The investment underscores AstraZeneca's confidence in the UK's life sciences sector and is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and readiness for future pandemics.