AbbVie has announced that its research and development centre in the United Kingdom will be enlarged with a new building that occupies 12,000 square feet. The expansion will allow the company to increase its work in three major therapeutic areas: immunology, neuroscience and oncology. By adding this space, the firm intends to strengthen its capacity to discover and develop new medicines for patients.
The development builds on the capabilities that AbbVie gained when it purchased the Oxford-based biotechnology firm DJS Antibodies in October 2022. That acquisition was a key element of a broader financial commitment that now exceeds £120 million and is directed toward scientific research, university partnerships and the cultivation of talent throughout the UK life-science sector. The investment reflects the firm’s long-term plan to grow its presence in the region.
Jon Sedgwick, who serves as senior vice-president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie, said that the new site will help the organisation tap further into the strong life-science ecosystem in Oxford. He noted that the area brings together academic and clinical expertise together with a deep pool of scientific talent. His comments underline the strategic importance of locating the expansion where collaboration is already thriving.
Kelly Sanderson Schrems, vice-president and general manager for AbbVie UK, added that scientific discovery represents only the first step of a longer journey. She explained that the true value of research emerges when innovative treatments reach the patients who need them most. Her statement highlights the company’s focus on translating laboratory findings into real-world health benefits.
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Each year the firm works with more than 100 universities and research organisations across the United Kingdom. Through these partnerships it supports the broader scientific community and helps generate opportunities for breakthrough science. The extensive network of collaborators enables the company to stay connected with cutting-edge research and to nurture the next generation of investigators.
One of the ongoing projects involves a collaboration with the University of Oxford that examines how patients suffering from certain inflammatory conditions react to a range of therapeutic options. The findings from this work are intended to guide the future development of medicines that target those conditions more effectively.
Across its three UK locations, Oxford, Maidenhead and Marlow, AbbVie employs more than 1,100 staff members covering all functional areas. The addition of the new Oxford facility will markedly increase the company’s research capacity in the region. By expanding its physical footprint, the organisation aims to accelerate its scientific programmes and to deepen its engagement with the local talent pool.
