The project is one of two being proposed by local building owner the Precis Group, which said the ambitious scheme will contribute to the growing knowledge quarter in the King’s Cross area.

The low-rise existing Belgrove House on Euston Road will be demolished to make way for the research building, also incorporating a new London Underground station entrance.

Designed by architect AHMM, the MSD Discovery Hub, is expected to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating and will have an innovative biophilic façade incorporated as part of the plan for a carbon-efficient building.

The innovative double-skin façade has been developed to reduce energy in line with the project’s low-carbon design agenda. These ‘façade zones’ could bring plants and greenery into the building to add a natural counterpoint to the urban setting.

The rest of the stepped building envelope will be brick clad.

The pharma project is being brought forward by Precis Group in tandem with an affordable housing development on the site of the nearby Acorn House building.

New flats to replace Acorn House on Gray’s Inn Road

This will be replaced the 1960s office with 33 new homes in a nine-storey block.