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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Rohit David

Humiliation For Britain: US Pharma Giant Merck Axes £1 Billion London Lab, Brands UK 'Uninvestable'

Merck United Kingdom Britain London NHS United States
US pharma giant Merck scraps £1B London research centre, branding UK ‘uninvestable’ due to NHS pricing and low investment (Credit: Merck website gallery photo)

In a devastating blow to Britain's life sciences ambitions, US pharmaceutical giant Merck has abandoned plans for its £1 billion ($1.53 billion) London research centre, branding the UK 'uninvestable' due to insufficient government support.

The decision, announced on 10 September 2025, will see 125 scientists and staff lose their jobs, raising alarm about the UK's declining competitiveness in global research. This move underscores mounting concerns over NHS drug pricing policies and underinvestment in innovation, threatening Britain's economic growth.

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