Zeneca to restructure research

ZENECA, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical arm of Imperial Chemical Industries, is restructuring its British research activities with the aim of cutting the time taken to bring drugs to the market, writes Heather Connon.

Research, based at Alderley Park, Cheshire, will be divided into four therapeutic areas - cancer; cardiovascular; vascular inflammatory and musculoskeletal; and infection - each with its own dedicated biotechnology, molecular modelling and other core science staff.

Zeneca spent pounds 257m on drug research in 1992, which is expected to rise to about pounds 300m this year.

Zeneca was split from the bulk chemical side of ICI at the beginning of the year and the group will decide next week whether it will be floated off as a separate business.