A new development centre for veterinary vaccines which will
accelerate the development of new animal health products has been
opened by Pfizer as part of its annual $300 million (US dollar)
commitment to research and development.
The new centre is located on the Louvain-la-Neuve scientific plant
near Brussels.
"This is an historic occasion for Pfizer Animal Health," said Juan
Ramon Alaix, president of Pfizer Animal Health, "because it is our
first pilot plant in Europe for developing animal vaccines. It also
demonstrates the strength and value of our continuing partnership with
our PGM colleagues."
The new facility houses the development operations for products
and processes in the area of formulation, filling and lyophilisation
of products. The company´s decision to establish its development
centre on the same site at which new products will be manufactured is
a strategic one. The decision makes it possible for the production
site to become more involved in developing new products.
The plant is at the cutting edge of biotechnologies and aseptic
operations and employs over 200 people. New on the site is an
integrated line for filling vaccines in plastic vials which is
dedicated to manufacturing vaccines for pigs which includes the
product, Improvac. This is a vaccine to combat boar taint in pigs and
is a viable alternative to physical castration. The vaccine has a huge
potential as it combines the search for economic advantages with the
welfare of animals.
More than 400 finished products from the site are distributed
throughout Europe, the US and Brazil and represents an annual volume
of 125 million doses with a turnover of approximately $150 million
dollars.
