GSK has announced plans to establish a new global research and development centre at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, committing £400 million to a flagship facility that will further strengthen Cambridge's position as one of the world's leading life sciences hubs.

The 300,000 sq ft development will become home to GSK's UK R&D operations and more than 1,000 scientists, bringing together research teams focused on oncology, respiratory disease, hepatology, vaccines and HIV within one of Europe's largest biomedical campuses.

The facility will be developed by Prologis at Discovery Drive on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and forms part of GSK's wider £400 million investment programme across its UK research estate.

Construction is already underway on the first building within the campus expansion, while the remaining phases have either secured planning permission or are progressing through the planning process. GSK expects employees to relocate from its Stevenage research site in phases by 2029, while continuing to invest in its existing R&D facilities at Ware in Hertfordshire.

For the UK's science property sector, the announcement represents another major endorsement of Cambridge's increasingly dominant position within the country's life sciences ecosystem.

The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is home to more than 22,000 people working across biomedical research, healthcare and industry, with over 470 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and AI companies located nearby. The concentration of universities, hospitals, research institutes and commercial laboratories has created one of Europe's most established science clusters, attracting continued investment from both occupiers and developers.

GSK said locating its scientists alongside existing academic and clinical partners would accelerate translational research by strengthening links between laboratory science and patient care.

The development also highlights the growing importance of specialist laboratory infrastructure in supporting the UK's life sciences ambitions.

Prologis has invested in delivering research buildings ahead of occupier demand, allowing global organisations to establish new facilities without waiting for speculative laboratory space to be designed and constructed. With GSK's commitment, the developer confirmed that the second phase of Discovery Drive will now be fully committed once the remaining buildings are completed.

Andrew Blevins, Senior Vice President of Life Sciences at Prologis, said the investment demonstrated the value of providing specialist infrastructure before occupiers commit, enabling internationally significant organisations to establish operations more quickly while strengthening the UK's competitiveness in attracting life sciences investment.

The wider implications extend beyond Cambridge itself.

Demand for purpose-built laboratory space has become one of the defining trends in the UK's science property market, with developers increasingly targeting locations capable of supporting collaboration between universities, healthcare providers and commercial research organisations. Unlike traditional office developments, science buildings require highly specialised servicing, laboratory fit-outs and long-term investment, making speculative delivery a more significant commercial commitment.

GSK's decision also reinforces confidence in the Government's Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Plan, both of which seek to position the UK as a global leader in biomedical research and pharmaceutical innovation.

Looking ahead, the commitment represents only part of a much larger expansion. Prologis is working with Cambridgeshire County Council to bring forward phases three and four of Discovery Drive, creating the potential for a further 2.4 million sq ft of laboratory and research accommodation over the next two decades.