Brexit drives EMA to relocate, taking hundreds of jobs and significant expertise away from UK
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is set to move to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, after being compelled to leave the UK because of Brexit. The agency – with most of its 900 staff – will make the move by April 2019.
Amsterdam tied 16–16 with Italian rival Milan in the final vote among EU member states, with the tie broken by a random draw. An internal survey of the agency’s staff survey had also favoured Amsterdam, with around 81% suggesting they would remain with the organisation if it were to move there. ‘Amsterdam ticks many boxes,’ said Guido Rasi, EMA executive director at a press briefing in London. ‘It offers excellent connectivity and transport.’