More than 200 jobs could be coming to east Kent in a deal involving an Indian-based pharmaceutical company eyeing up a move to the Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Kent County Council said the possible jobs boost could be a “game changer” for the area and that it had seen off competition from several other large cities wooing the company to relocate.

The name of the firm has not been disclosed but it is understood that if the deal does come off, it would involve manufacturing products on the site.

Cllr Mark Dance (Con), the council’a cabinet member for regeneration, said the company was in negotiations with its bank and a formal announcement could be just weeks away.

The presence of a large company on the former Pfizer site in Sandwich, which closed would be a major catch.

The Discovery Park has already attracted 52 companies and 900 people and has additionally benefitted from being part of the East Kent Enterprise Zone, giving start-up companies rate relief and other tax incentives.

Speaking at a meeting of Kent County Council’s cabinet, Cllr Dance said discussions were at an advanced stage.

“It could be a real game changer for east Kent,” he said.

The area’s status as an enterprise zone has also been boosted by Expansion East Kent, a £35m programme of financial support to businesses seeking to invest in East Kent to create jobs.

The funding is being allocated as part of the government’s Regional Growth Fund.