GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK) has confirmed that its manufacturing operations will cease next year as its current contract with a pharmaceutical company has not been extended. 

GSK has been slowly decommissioning its Ulverston site for years, stating back in 2021 that in the absence of alternatives it would stop manufacturing antibiotics called Cephalosporins once their current contract with Sandoz ended. 

"As Sandoz has not chosen to extend this agreement, we have updated colleagues at Ulverston to let them know that we currently anticipate operations at the site will conclude in June next year. We are continuing to actively explore alternative options for the land at Ulverston and are in in-depth discussions with interested parties," a GSK spokesperson said. 

"We understand this has been a difficult and uncertain period for our people at Ulverston. As ever, our first priority is to support them as much as we can - which we are continuing to do - as well as make sure we fulfil our commitments to the wider community, including a £2 million donation for which we are working with local leaders to determine how to best invest and benefit the local community.

"We remain extremely proud of GSK Ulverston’s record of delivering medicines to around 2 billion patients across the world, over its 75-year history," they added.