Four sites are being considered, with decision expected next March

Pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is pressing ahead with plans to build its first new factory for 30 years.

The London-based company, which makes Panadol and Lucozade, is considering four sites – two in Scotland, and one each in Cumbria and County Durham.

The chosen location is expected to be announced by March 2012.

The move comes ahead of the government’s “patent box” scheme, which is meant to boost innovation by slashing corporation tax paid on profits from products invented in the UK.

GSK has also begun bringing work previously out-sourced to India back to the UK, a trend it expects will continue when its British research facilities are expanded.

Topics