US drugmaker Merck scraps £1bn London research centre and cuts 125 science jobs

<p>New blow to UK’s key life science sector as industry body warns country is losing ground on investment and research</p><p>US drugmaker Merck has scrapped a £1bn London research centre and is laying off 125 scientists this year, in a big blow to the country’s important life science sector.</p><p>Keir Starmer’s government has described life sciences as “one of the crown jewels of the UK economy” while the previous Conservative government had <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-to-forge-a-better-britain-through-science-and-technology-unveiled">vowed to turn the country into a “global science and technology superpower” by 2030</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/10/us-drugmaker-merck-scraps-1bn-london-research-centre-and-cuts-125-science-jobs">Continue reading...</a>