INDIA – Pfizer has established a global drug development center at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in a significant move to consolidate critical research and development capabilities.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms (FDFs) of differentiated products such as complex/value-added formulations, controlled-release dosage forms, device-combination products, lyophilized injections, powder-fill products, and ready-to-use formulations will be developed by the center.
It will develop and support products in global markets as well as Pfizer’s manufacturing facilities around the world.
“Pfizer’s drug development center in the IIT Madras Research Park is a positive opportunity to establish truly one of the most advanced laboratories that Pfizer is setting up for R&D in the aforementioned disciplines anywhere in Chennai and in the world,” said S Sridhar, Country Manager, Pfizer India.
Pfizer has invested US$20 million (INR 150 crore) in the IIT Madras Research Park’s 61,000 sq ft research and technology center.
While this center will be part of a network of 12 global centers established around the world, it is the first and only one currently being established by Pfizer in Asia.
S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, said at the launch that there is a growing need for pharmaceutical companies to provide innovative solutions that address the new challenges that healthcare providers and patients are facing.
“We are confident that this research center would be aligned with our larger national objective to improve the availability, affordability and access to drugs throughout the world from India by building on the convergence with digital solutions available here, and leveraging academic collaborations,” she added.
The center combines two critical functions under Pfizer’s export-oriented initiative: Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and the Global Technology and Engineering (GT&E) Center of Excellence.
PharmSci is dedicated to the development of anti-infectives, oncolytics, sterile injectables, anesthesia products, CNS products, and hospital products that are uniquely differentiated.
GT&E develops next-generation API processes and manufacturing technology to provide medicines to patients all over the world.
According to the company, Pfizer has a portfolio of more than 150 products in India, spanning 15 therapeutic areas.
Prevnar, Lyrica, and Enbrel are among its key products. In India, Pfizer employs approximately 2,631 people.
This 61,000-square-foot facility will add 250 more employees from a variety of scientific disciplines, including Formulation Scientists and Pharmacists, Analytical Scientists with expertise in process, analytical, and formulation medicinal science among other disciplines.
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