A £3.8 million high-tech scientific research and development centre is set to be created on the former Sanofi site.

Specialist laboratories will be available in the latest high profile addition to Londoneast-uk.

The Cube will include a post-incubator science facility for small and growing businesses within the business and technical park in Rainham Road South, Dagenham.

The labs, manufacturing and office buildings which once created life-saving medicines within the Sanofi plant will be refurbished to bring them up to date ahead of the June opening.

Up to 15 businesses can be accommodated, creating more than 90 jobs.

London Enterprise Panel’s Growing Places Fund has provided a £500,000 loan which unlocks £2.5 million of private investment from the SOG Group, which owns the site.

The council has agreed to contribute a further £826,000 to the venture.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who chairs the London Enterprise Panel, said: “London is already one of the greatest scientific cities on the planet so I am delighted that we will soon be able to add The Cube to the long list of incredible institutions based here.

“I am sure that this new facility will help budding science companies to progress their exciting ideas.”

John Lewis, managing director of Londoneast-uk, said he hoped that the new cost-effective facilities would stop talent being driven out of the UK.

“The Cube will enable these businesses to stay in London to carry out their research and development,” he added.

The Cube’s new facilities will operate as a sister site to The Heath, SOG Group’s award winning business and technical park in Cheshire.