The Life Science Minister, George Freeman MP, made his first visit to Macclesfield on Thursday 26th February to give his support to plans to boost the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector in the area. The Minister came to the town at the invitation of local MP, David Rutley.
During the Minister’s trip to north-east Cheshire, he visited AstraZeneca’s Hurdsfield site in Macclesfield. The Minister praised the important contribution made by the skilled workforce of around 2,300 people at the site to the local economy and in taking forward the country’s life science strategy. He also recognised the impact the business makes to UK exports, with AstraZeneca alone accounting for around 1% the country’s total exports of goods.
The Hurdsfield site is also home to the global production of Zoladex, the medicine for prostate cancer, which has worldwide sales of around $1 billion. The site hosts hundreds of people involved in the development of new medical treatments and a major packaging facility for medicines.
In addition to visiting Macclesfield, the Minister also went to Alderley Park to find out more about the success of the Taskforce, which helped bring over 300 jobs to the site following AstraZeneca’s decision to relocate its research & development function to Cambridge. He also met with new owners Manchester Science Partnerships.
During his visit, the Minister was able to learn more about plans to create a Life Science Corridor from Liverpool to Greater Manchester, including Alderley Park and extending to Macclesfield. These plans will build on the local strong skills base. Over £20m of funding has already been secured to back new businesses at Alderley Park and help take forward the Life Science Corridor.
Following his visit George Freeman said, “I am pleased to see the great work undertaken by AstraZeneca in Macclesfield. I support the initiatives AstraZeneca, David and Cheshire East Council are developing to create a continued positive future at the site. I congratulate David on all that he is doing to promote life sciences locally in Macclesfield and for his support in championing this important sector in Westminster.”
David said, “I am delighted that the Life Sciences Minister has made it a priority to come to Macclesfield. We have important plans for life sciences locally and across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. This visit will help get the support in place to make these plans a reality."