AstraZeneca has filed a High Court claim seeking over £31.7 million from International Fire Consultants (IFC) regarding alleged construction defects at its Cambridge Discovery Centre. The pharmaceutical giant asserts that the Cheltenham-based firm “failed to comply with its duties,” resulting in “widespread defects” involving fire dampers, smoke dampers, insulation, and ductwork.
According to the claim, these issues necessitated costly remediation work between 2021 and 2023. AstraZeneca argues that while IFC identified defects during a 2021 re-inspection, the consultancy was liable for failing to detect them during the preliminary build stages. The Discovery Centre project has faced significant historical challenges, finishing five years late and costing £1 billion—£670 million over the original budget.
IFC has filed a defense calling the allegations “misconceived and incorrect.” The consultancy suggests the lawsuit is motivated by AstraZeneca’s inability to sue construction manager Skanska, having already released them from liability in a final account settlement. AstraZeneca has rejected this defense as “legally incoherent.”
This legal battle follows the recent cancellation of a separate £200 million expansion at the Cambridge headquarters, which was withdrawn in September.