AstraZeneca has signaled it could relocate its vaccine manufacturing operations from the UK to the U.S., following a disagreement with the new Labour government regarding a reduction in state aid. According to a report from the Financial Times, UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves intends to decrease the state’s financial support for AstraZeneca’s vaccine centre, slashing the previous commitment from around £90 million to £40 million.
The original offer from the previous administration included up to £70 million in grants for developing a facility in Speke, Liverpool, and an additional £20 million for research and development, provided by the UK Health Security Agency. However, this cut in state provisions has prompted AstraZeneca to consider alternatives, including the possibility of manufacturing in India, where it has previously produced vaccines.
