• Lonza has purchased a plot in Thames Valley Park, with a view to relocating and expanding its primary UK-based Biologics site over the next decade
• This proposed new site would cement the UK as a major hub in Lonza’s global development and manufacturing network, and secure its long-term future in the UK life sciences ecosystem
• Lonza’s proposal is supported by UK Government funding

Basel, Switzerland, 15 August 2024 – Lonza, one of the world’s largest healthcare manufacturing organizations, is developing plans to relocate and expand its Center of Excellence for biologic molecules in the UK over the next decade with the support of funding from the UK Government.  

Lonza has already purchased a plot in Thames Valley Park near Reading, with a view to relocating and expanding its largest Biologics site in the UK – currently situated in Bath Road, Slough – over the next decade. The proposed development at Thames Valley Park would unlock growth for Lonza’s Biologics division, while supporting the development and manufacture of complex biopharmaceuticals in the UK. 

Stefan Egli, Head of Mammalian Business Unit, Biologics, Lonza, said: 

“We are grateful to the UK Government for its support as we seek to relocate and expand our UK footprint and capability. Our Biologics site in Slough and its highly-skilled workforce – now comprising more than 1,000 people – has been an integral part of our global business for more than 25 years. During this time, the site has supported both large pharma and small biotech customers in bringing innovative therapies to life for their patients. We are pleased to have secured a desirable plot in Thames Valley Park with the opportunity to grow and strengthen Lonza’s operations in the UK, which is a strategically important market for our business.”

Science Minister, Lord Patrick Vallance, said:

“The life sciences sector is a true UK success story, and these proposals exemplify its potential to drive economic growth and transform healthcare. As part of our new industrial strategy, we will set out a plan to cement this sector’s best-in-class status, and working with world leading companies like Lonza will be a core part of that ambition.

“Lonza has exciting ambitions, which will help support our plans to transform our nation’s healthcare and build an NHS fit for the future, by working with the life sciences sector. Through partnerships like this, we are making the UK the best place in the world to develop and manufacture new, advanced medicines.”

Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham, said:

“Lonza’s proposed development at Thames Valley Park is excellent news for my new constituency and constituents, the Thames Valley and the UK’s health and life sciences sector. It is the culmination of a lot of work involving many, notably Lonza, Wokingham Borough Council, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, and key government departments including the Department for Business and Trade. I have had the opportunity to meet senior Lonza representatives to understand the scale of their plans and ambitions for the new site. I look forward to supporting these exciting plans, which set out a clear and strong ambition for Lonza’s plans in Wokingham and the UK.”  

Cllr Mark Ashwell, Executive Member for Economic Development, Sport, Leisure and the Arts, Wokingham Borough Council, said:

“We are really pleased to welcome Lonza to Wokingham Borough, as it develops plans for its new site on Thames Valley Park. Lonza would be joining a major cluster of health and life sciences (HLS) companies located in the borough, and this cluster is well-aligned with the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower. We look forward to continuing to work with Lonza as it moves forward.”