AstraZeneca pushes back move to new Cambridge headquarters to 2020 amid delays, rising costs

AstraZeneca indicated Wednesday that it will not move into its new biomedical campus building in Cambridge, the UK until 2020 as a result of switching contractors. "We have agreed to transition from [previous contractor] Skanska to Mace as the construction manager for the scientific fit-out and commissioning phase of the project," a company spokesperson said, adding that "following a transition period, we will be able to communicate an update as to when we can commence occupation of the facility. At the moment, this points to the first half of 2020." 

The company warned last year that the cost of the new headquarters and research centre would be over 500 million pounds ($638 million). When the Cambridge site was initially picked in 2013, the aim was for the campus to employ around 2000 staff by 2016. When more detailed plans were unveiled the following year, as AstraZeneca fought off an ultimately failed takeover attempt by Pfizer, costs were estimated at 330 million pounds ($386 million) and the aim was to establish the centre as its global headquarters by the end of 2017.

​FirstWord Reports: Providing insight, analysis and expert opinion on important Pharma trends and challenging issues

The AstraZeneca spokesperson explained that the change in contractors was needed because "a different skillset" was required for the scientific fit-out and commissioning phase. "[The change is] part of an ongoing review that a project of this size will always have," the spokesperson said, continuing "there was a recognised need to evolve now that the frame is in place and the outside is done." 

The spokesperson further explained that the delays were due to the complexity of the undertaking. "There are some engineering and design issues on site, not related to who the construction manager is," the spokesperson remarked, adding "we want to get it right rather than get it fast." AstraZeneca employs approximately 2600 staff in the Cambridge area.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor's Note:

To apply for becoming a contributor of en-CPhI.cn,

welcome to send your CV and sample works to us,

Email: Julia.Zhang@ubmsinoexpo.com.