LONDON — British pharmaceutical giant GSK is investing £400 million in the UK over the next three years, with the company planning a major expansion of its research and development operations in Cambridge.

The investment will support a new 300,000-square-foot research centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. GSK expects the facility to accommodate more than 1,000 scientists, strengthening Cambridge's position as one of Britain's leading life-sciences hubs.

GSK will vacate its historic Stevenage R&D facility by 2029, while also upgrading its nearby site in Ware. The company said the changes are intended to accelerate drug development and strengthen research in areas including cancer and respiratory diseases.

The investment comes as GSK's new chief executive, Luke Miels, seeks to increase the company's focus on research and future medicines. GSK currently invests more than £6 billion a year in R&D globally, including more than £1.5 billion in Britain.

The announcement represents a significant vote of confidence in Britain's life-sciences sector, while also highlighting the growing importance of Cambridge as a centre for pharmaceutical research and innovation.

GSK's global headquarters will remain in London, meaning the company will retain a major UK corporate presence while shifting more research capacity towards Cambridge.