German giant moves lab to Southampton

Merck, the German pharmaceuticals and chemicals giant, is relocating its research and development facilities from Poole to Southampton University to forge closer links with the university's researchers.

The company intends to begin transferring its laboratory to the university from January 1999. The relocation to a purpose-built site on Southampton's Chilworth science park will be complete by 2001.

The laboratory, which will provide facilities for up to 30 staff, will carry out research on new materials, liquid crystals and advanced inorganic materials such as superconductors.