Science Minister Patrick Vallance visits Slough to unveil £500m funding drive

Science Minister Patrick Vallance visited Slough on Wednesday to confirm a £500m joint funding drive between the Government and pharmaceutical company UCB.

Lord Vallance toured the company’s Bath Road research and development laboratories, where UCB investigates treatments for life-limiting diseases and illnesses.

Lord Vallance served as the Government's chief scientific adviser during the Coronavirus Pandemic. He stepped down from the role in 2023 and became Science Minister in 2024.

UCB is set to swap Slough for Windlesham, Surrey in 2027, when its under-construction research and development facility is expected to be completed - and where the £500m will be used to help fund new medical discoveries. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the investment was a ‘vote of confidence in Britain’s world-class life sciences sector’ and would ‘help drive the growth that keeps Britain competitive’.

Science and Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall said: “This landmark investment is further proof of the strength of the UK's life sciences sector.

“It paves the way for more cutting-edge medicines to be discovered, giving hope to patients living with diseases that cause misery.”

UCB executive vice president and chief scientific officer Alistair Henry said the funding ‘strengthens our collaboration with government to support the life sciences sector’.

He said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver a campus and scientific capability that not only cements drug discovery here but adds value to the country’s health resilience and opportunities for the life sciences workforce.”