The company hopes to create 1,000 more jobs at its new plant, as it works on expanding in the UK.
Four sites for a new biopharmaceuticals plant are being looked one in Cumbria, the other in County Durham or two locations in Scotland.
A decision is expected by March next year.
The move comes after the Coalition’s decision to launch a so-called ‘Patent Box’.
This spur to encourage innovation will see 10% cut from corporation tax paid on profits from products invented in the UK from 2013.
Andrew Witty, GlaxoSmithKline chief executive, said that, “Because of changes in the UK tax regime, it will be our intention to bring more activity to Britain and take advantage of the situation here and increase our contribution to Britain.
“If it [corporation tax] is going to come down over the next few years, it will attract us to pay more tax here”.