According to MSD, by locating a research hub in London, it will be able to grow its opportunity to engage with leading researchers from the UK and Europe.
The new discovery center will also be the site for the company’s UK headquarters.
MSD UK and Ireland managing director Louise Houson said: “We believe London to be a unique bioscience centre of excellence and a key component of the established golden triangle for academic science of London-Oxford-Cambridge.
“This investment presents a major opportunity for us to work in collaboration with the UK Government to build on the forward thinking and ambitious Industrial Strategy White Paper published by the Government today.”
The research hub in London is expected to recruit 150 new researchers and will also house around 800 additional staff for the UK domestic market and other European clinical functions presently based in MSD in the Hoddesdon headquarters in the UK.
MSD is exploring potential sites for its UK Discovery Centre in London with an objective to start operations at it by 2020. The company, in the meanwhile, will set up a small temporary research center in the area and will be hiring suitably qualified scientific talent.
UK Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “MSD’s commitment today, and the wider Sector Deal investment we have secured, proves the process outlined in the Industrial Strategy can give companies the confidence and direction they need to invest in the UK.
“It will ensure Britain continues to be at the forefront of innovation and represents a huge vote of confidence in our Industrial Strategy.”
Image: MSD will have a life sciences discovery research center in London. Photo: courtesy of jk1991/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.