Wyeth related Press Releases

Prolong's Large Scale Manufacturing of Sickle Cell Product to be Headed by Industry Veteran

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:21:19 -0500

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Prolong Pharmaceuticals today announced that Tom Flachmeyer has joined Prolong to spearhead the firms' engineering and facilities planning function for it oxygen therapeutic product SANGUINATE™. Having previously directed the construction of the world's largest biotech facility to date, Wyeth's Grange Castle facility in Dublin, Ireland, Flachmeyer is charged with expanding Prolong's current cGMP production facility to support worldwide clinical development in sickle cell patients.

Tom brings an extensive background in managing technical organizations, strategic / capital planning and capital project execution and has a proven track record of executing technically complex projects. Formerly a Director of Project Management at Parsons, Life Sciences Group, Tom has held senior management positions in Engineering at Wyeth, Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) and Foster Wheeler. At Schering Plough he spent 5 years in Ireland and 3 years in Singapore executing large scale capital projects that delivered critical capabilities to the supply chain.

"Tom's international experience in designing high quality, large scale bio-manufacturing facilities to FDA approved status, is unparalleled in the industry," said Glenn Kazo, Prolong's President. "As lead project manager for several multinational engineering firms, and with direct experience as a bio-pharma company executive, Tom is ideally suited to drive our expansion."

About Prolong Pharmaceuticals
Headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, Prolong Pharmaceuticals, LLC is developing biopharmaceutical products targeting the treatment of anemia resulting from an oxygen deficiency. First founded in 2002 as a research company Prolong is focused on sickle cell anemia, diabetic ischemia, and several trauma indications. The company's senior management team includes inventors of the most successful drug delivery technology in pharmaceutical history, PEGylation, now responsible for more than $30 billion in drug sales worldwide. For more information visit: www.prolongpharmaceuticals.com.

SOURCE Prolong Pharmaceuticals

APP Pharmaceuticals Announces Approval of Nafcillin for Injection, USP

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:20:32 -0400

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market Nafcillin for Injection, USP in three dosage strengths. APP’s Nafcillin for Injection, USP is therapeutically equivalent to the reference-listed drugs Unipen® (marketed by Wyeth) and Nallpen® (marketed by GlaxoSmithKline). Both companies have discontinued marketing these products.

APP will market Nafcillin in 1 gram and 2 gram single dose vials, and a 10 gram pharmacy bulk package. APP's Nafcillin is AP-rated, preservative-free and bar-coded. According to IMS data, 2010 product sales in the United States were approximately $59 million¹.

“The approval of APP’s Nafcillin provides clinicians with a new supplier of this commonly used anti-infective medication,” said John Ducker, President and Chief Executive Officer of APP Pharmaceuticals. “With the addition of Nafcillin, APP continues to expand its leading anti-infective portfolio.”

About Nafcillin for Injection, USP

Nafcillin for Injection, USP is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci that have demonstrated susceptibility to the drug. Nafcillin and other drugs in its antibiotic class are particularly useful for the treatment of infections involving penicillinase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, because they are highly resistant to inactivation by the enzyme penicillinase (beta-lactamase). Examples of common infections caused by Staphylococcus aureas include skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and septicemia. Nafcillin is also active against nonpenicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus and against a variety of other bacteria.

About APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets injectable pharmaceutical products with a primary focus on the oncology, anti-infective, anesthetic/analgesic and critical care markets. The company offers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios used in hospitals, long-term care facilities, alternate care sites and clinics within North America and manufactures a comprehensive range of dosage formulations. Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi AG, acquired APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on September 10, 2008. For more information about APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit the company’s Web site at www.APPpharma.com.

About Fresenius Kabi AG

Fresenius Kabi AG is the leader in infusion therapy and clinical nutrition in Europe and in its most important countries of Latin America and Asia Pacific. Fresenius Kabi’s core product range includes infusion solutions, blood volume substitutes, I.V. drugs and parenteral nutrition, as well as products for enteral nutrition. Furthermore, the company provides concepts for ambulatory health care and is focused on managing and providing home therapies. With the philosophy “caring for life” and a comprehensive product portfolio, the company aims at improving the quality of life of critically and chronically ill patients all over the world. In 2010, Fresenius Kabi achieved sales of EUR 3,672 million and an operating profit of EUR 737 million. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.fresenius-kabi.com. Fresenius Kabi AG is a 100% subsidiary of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA.

Forward-Looking Statement

The statements contained in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, goals, intentions, initiatives or strategies, including statements regarding the demand, supply and distribution of our products. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the availability and pricing of ingredients used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and the ability to successfully manufacture products in a time-sensitive and cost effective manner. Additional relevant information concerning risks can be found in the Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc. 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 and other documents the company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The information contained in this news release is as of the date of this release. Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to conform the statement to actual results, new information, developments or changes in the Company’s expectations.

¹ 2010 IMS Dataview © IMS HEALTH

Unipen® is a trademark of Wyeth and Nallpen® is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

CONTACT:

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Debra Lynn Ross, ABC
(847) 969-8026
Director, Corporate Communications
dross@apppharma.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Illinois

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Infectious Diseases Oncology Pharmaceutical FDA General Health

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Nuron Biotech Acquires Assets Related to HibTITER® Conjugate Vaccine

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:20:50 -0400

EXTON, Penn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nuron Biotech Inc., a specialty biologics and vaccines company, today announced that it has acquired assets relating to the vaccine HibTITER^® (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein Conjugate)) from Wyeth LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc, for the U.S. and many other markets, including Japan and Korea. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

HibTITER is a previously marketed pediatric vaccine that Wyeth LLC discontinued several years ago following a reassessment of its portfolio and priorities and given other available vaccine options. HibTITER was one of the first glycoconjugate technology vaccines for humans on the market and was responsible for greatly reducing the incidence of Hib disease [1] in children. Meningitis vaccines are now part of the CDC Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule with over 10 million annual doses administered each year in the U.S. alone. Nuron is currently working with the FDA to finalize the re-launch strategy for this vaccine.

“Our senior management team sees significant opportunity for HibTITER and looks forward to re-establishing this life-saving vaccine to help protect our children,” commented Shankar Musunuri, PhD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Nuron Biotech. “Nuron has a highly focused product portfolio, and, consequently, we can devote significant attention to educating the medical and regulatory community on the value of this vaccine. We know the medical milestones achieved with HibTITER and recognize both the medical need and relevance of this vaccine in the U.S. and markets around the world.”

About Nuron

Nuron Biotech’s vision is to bring better biologics to market with enhanced product profiles for better health of patients. Nuron’s founders and management team are veteran industry executives who have made significant contributions in developing, launching and managing the life-cycle of various biologics.

In less than a year after initiating operations, Nuron has been extremely successful establishing late-stage product programs in three distinct disease areas, Central Nervous Systems (CNS), Wound Healing and Vaccines.

Nuron is currently in discussions with other biotechnology companies to expand the portfolio in the areas of specialty biotech and vaccines. www.nuronbiotech.com

1. Peltola H, Kilpi T, Anttila M. Rapid disappearance of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis after routine childhood immunisation with conjugate vaccines. Lancet. 1992;340:592–4. [PubMed]

CONTACT:

Nuron Biotech
Richard Dinovitz, 610-968-6704
Vice President, Marketing and Business Development
or
Media Contact:
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Douglas MacDougall, 781-235-3060

KEYWORDS: United States North America Pennsylvania

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Infectious Diseases Pharmaceutical

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Health Care M&A Activity for 2010 Remains Strong According to New Report from Irving Levin Associates, Inc.

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:20:24 -0500

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- During 2010 and based on preliminary results, a total of 913 mergers and acquisitions were announced in 13 sectors of the health care industry, a 3% decrease from the 945 transactions announced in 2009. Based on prices revealed to date, a total of $206.5 billion was committed to finance the year’s 913 deals. This represents an 11% decrease from the $232.2 billion in 2009. In terms of dollars committed to M&A deals, 2010 is the fifth-largest year of the past 10 years.


M&A DEAL AND DOLLAR VOLUME FOR 2010 AND 2009*
	DEAL VOLUME			DOLLAR VOLUME
Sector	2010	2009	% Change	2010	2009	% Change
Behavioral Health	7	11	-36%	$3,491,000,000	$79,659,000	4,280%
Home Health	41	42	-2%	1,405,083,000	140,997,000	896%
Hospitals	75	53	42%	17,442,095,000	1,813,300,000	860%
Laboratories, MRI, Dialysis	39	30	30%	2,230,061,950	90,457,000	2,365%
Long-Term Care	103	88	17%	11,735,704,464	2,918,175,000	302%
Managed Care	13	15	-13%	4,093,323,000	850,000,000	380%
Physician Medical Groups	60	41	46%	425,439,000	99,100,000	329%
Rehabilitation	12	11	9%	236,890,000	22,085,000	973%
Other	91	78	16%	23,014,518,522	6,276,251,881	267%
Services Subtotal	441	369	20%	$64,074,114,936	$12,290,024,881	421%
Biotechnology	110	193	-43%	$55,951,409,000	$47,445,849,040	18%
E-Health	73	69	6%	6,893,651,063	11,534,925,000	-40%
Medical Devices	165	176	-6%	41,493,789,929	13,820,275,951	200%
Pharmaceuticals	124	138	-10%	38,101,480,000	147,122,047,185	-74%
Technology Subtotal	472	576	-18%	$142,440,330,892	$219,923,097,176	-35%
Grand Total	913	945	-3%	$206,514,445,828	$232,213,112,057	-11%
2010 Preliminary Figures*

The year-over-year results are skewed by two mega-deals in the 2009 Pharmaceutical industry worth a combined total of $109.1 billion, Pfizer’s $68.0 billion acquisition of Wyeth and Merck & Co.’s $41.1 billion acquisition of Schering-Plough Corp. Controlling for these two deals, both announced just before the generational market bottom in March 2009, shows that the health care M&A market continues to climb out of the Great Recession with a full head of steam.

“The passage of health care reform in March 2010 has allowed providers of health care services to pencil out clearer projections of their revenues and cash flows. This aids them in turn in determining more acceptable valuations of businesses they wish to buy or sell,” stated Stephen M. Monroe, managing editor at Irving Levin Associates, Inc., which publishes The Health Care M&A Report. “The thawing of credit has further facilitated the great surge of health care services M&A activity during 2010, with spending up 421% over the comparable levels in 2009. Private equity has also been swift to return to the market to put to use money which had been sitting on the sidelines, and to find well-priced deals before the market gets much hotter.” Activity in the Hospital sector, generally perceived to be the focus of the health care delivery system, is forecast to remain strong for 2011.

The health care technology segment, including Biotechnology, e-Health, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals, posted 472 deals, or 52% of the year’s deal volume, worth $142.4 billion. “If we remove 2009’s two mega-deals from the mix, spending on Pharmaceutical M&A was essentially flat from 2009 into 2010,” observed Sanford Steever, Ph.D., editor of the Report. “During 2010, pharma companies pursued deals in the biotech sector to find new sources of revenue to replace what is being lost to the expiration of patent protection and exclusivity on their blockbuster drugs.” Going forward in 2011, the big pharma companies will continue to focus on biotechnology companies for new, hard-to-copy products, and their potentially blockbuster sales.

For more information on The Health Care M&A Information Service, The Health Care Services Acquisition Report or for a subscription to any Irving Levin publication, call 800-248-1668. Irving Levin Associates, Inc., established in 1948, has headquarters in Norwalk, CT and is online at www.levinassociates.com. This privately held corporation publishes research reports and newsletters, and maintains health care merger and acquisition and venture capital databases, as well as the senior housing market.

Note: If you would like to receive this via email, please send your email address to pressreleases@levinassociates.com

CONTACT:

Irving Levin Associates, Inc.
Stephen M. Monroe, Partner
Sanford B. Steever, Editor
Phone: (800) 248-1668
Fax: (203) 846-8300

KEYWORDS: United States North America Connecticut

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Practice Management Health Biotechnology Hospitals Medical Devices Pharmaceutical Other Health Professional Services Finance General Health Managed Care

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Santaris Pharma A/S Announces Expanded Worldwide Strategic Alliance With Pfizer Inc. Directed to Development of RNA-targeted Med

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:23:25 -0500

- Pfizer to make payment of $14 million for access to Santaris Pharma A/S Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Drug Platform to develop RNA-targeted drugs

HOERSHOLM, Denmark and SAN DIEGO, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of mRNA and microRNA targeted therapies, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), today announced that the companies have expanded their collaboration directed to the development and commercialization of RNA-targeted medicines using Santaris Pharma A/S Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Drug Platform.

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Pfizer will make a payment of $14 million for access to Santaris Pharma A/S LNA technology for the development of RNA-targeted drugs. Santaris Pharma A/S is eligible to receive milestone payments of up to $600 million as well as royalties on sales of products that may be developed for up to 10 new RNA targets selected by Pfizer.

The newly expanded alliance builds on the original collaboration formed in January 2009 between Santaris Pharma A/S and Wyeth, which was acquired by Pfizer Inc. Under the terms of the original collaboration, Santaris Pharma A/S received an upfront payment of $7 million in cash and Wyeth made a $10 million equity investment in Santaris Pharma A/S. Santaris Pharma A/S continues to be eligible to receive milestones and royalties under the original alliance. Pfizer has advanced several programs under the original collaboration and reached a number of early milestones since the inception of the collaboration.

"The expansion of our collaboration with Santaris Pharma A/S demonstrates our strategic intention to partner with innovative biopharm/biotech companies to explore novel drug design technologies as a potential source for breakthrough therapeutics," said Mikael Dolsten, President of Worldwide Research and Development at Pfizer. He added, "We have been encouraged by the progress of our oligonucleotide collaboration with Santaris Pharma and are eager to explore this expanded partnership for potential additional LNA-based drug projects."

The Santaris Pharma A/S LNA Drug Platform is the only RNA technology with both mRNA and microRNA targeted drugs in clinical trials, demonstrating the broad utility of the proprietary platform. The unique combination of small size and high affinity achievable with Santaris Pharma A/S LNA technology allows LNA-based drugs to potently and specifically inhibit RNA targets in different tissues without the need for complex delivery vehicles.

"The expanded alliance with Pfizer is a result of our successful collaboration over the last two years and provides further evidence that our LNA Drug Platform is rapidly becoming the technology-of-choice for partners interested in developing RNA-targeted medicines," said Soeren Tulstrup, President and CEO of Santaris Pharma A/S. "The LNA Drug Platform is well positioned to deliver viable drug candidates today, and we are excited to expand our relationship with Pfizer to pursue our goal of making RNA-targeted drugs for important diseases a reality."

RNA-targeted drugs are a promising new class of therapeutics that are enabling scientists to develop drugs to work through targets thought to be inaccessible to small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. Typically, RNA-targeted therapies come in two varieties: (i) single-stranded approaches often referred to as "antisense"; and (ii) double-stranded approaches often referred to as "siRNA". The LNA Drug Platform utilizing Santaris Pharma A/S proprietary single-stranded LNA chemistry may provide the key to delivering on the promise of RNA-targeted therapies today by overcoming the limitation of earlier antisense and siRNA technologies.

About Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Drug Platform

The LNA Drug Platform and Drug Discovery Engine developed by Santaris Pharma A/S combines the Company's proprietary LNA chemistry with its highly specialized and targeted drug development capabilities to rapidly deliver LNA-based drug candidates against RNA targets, both mRNA and microRNA, for a range of diseases including metabolic disorders, infectious and inflammatory diseases, cancer and rare genetic disorders. LNA-based drugs are a promising new class of therapeutics that are enabling scientists to develop drug candidates to work through previously inaccessible clinical pathways. The LNA Drug Platform overcomes the limitations of earlier antisense and siRNA technologies to deliver potent single-stranded LNA-based drug candidates across a multitude of disease states. The unique combination of small size and very high affinity allows this new class of drugs candidates to potently and specifically inhibit RNA targets in many different tissues without the need for complex delivery vehicles. The most important features of LNA-based drugs include excellent specificity providing optimal targeting; increased affinity to targets providing improved potency; and favorable pharmacokinetic and tissue-penetrating properties that allow systemic delivery of these drugs without complex and potentially troublesome delivery vehicles.

About Santaris Pharma A/S

Santaris Pharma A/S is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies. The Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Drug Platform and Drug Discovery Engine developed by Santaris Pharma A/S combine the Company's proprietary LNA chemistry with its highly specialized and targeted drug development capabilities to rapidly deliver potent single-stranded LNA-based drug candidates across a multitude of disease states. The Company's research and development activities focus on infectious diseases and metabolic disorders, while partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies include a range of therapeutic areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and rare genetic disorders. The Company has strategic partnerships with miRagen Therapeutics, Shire plc, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Enzon Pharmaceuticals. As part of its broad patent estate, the Company holds exclusive worldwide rights to all therapeutic uses of LNA. Santaris Pharma A/S, founded in 2003, is headquartered in Denmark with operations in the United States. Please visit www.santaris.com for more information.

SOURCE Santaris Pharma A/S

ClinTec Strengthens US Operations with the Appointment of New Executive Vice President, Dr Dianne Kikta

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:06:59 -0400

GLASGOW, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UK-based global Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), ClinTec International has further established its US presence with the appointment of new Executive Vice President, Dr Dianne Kikta.

Dr Kikta is based in the Philadelphia area and will augment ClinTec’s US operations and Global HQ management team to offer prospective pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device client’s guidance on their drug development and resourcing strategy with an emphasis on the emerging markets where ClinTec has a strong base.

Dr Kikta brings to ClinTec a wealth of experience from the pharmaceutical industry having worked for Wyeth for over 20 years, most recently as Vice President of Global Clinical Strategic Resourcing where she was responsible for providing strategic oversight of flexible resourcing to efficiently deliver clinical research services, especially through off-shoring and outsourcing.

Regarding her new role, Dr Kikta stated “I am excited to be a part of ClinTec, a growing CRO that doesn’t only work in support of the pharmaceutical industry, but also provides solutions through innovative resourcing and processes. I look forward to contributing to ClinTec’s future success by applying my experience in innovative global resourcing models and various strategic initiatives from Wyeth.

Having established Wyeth’s highly successful clinical research centre in India through a unique partnership approach, I have a firm understanding of the opportunities within the emerging markets for continued use of unique resourcing models. Working with ClinTec will allow me to use my numerous years of experience in one company to now influence many aspects of the industry.”

Senior Director of Corporate Development, Bobby Bal remarked “We are pleased to have Dianne on board to facilitate the next wave of strategic outsourcing partnerships with our growing US customer base. We believe that entering into creative discussion with the US pharmaceutical industry will help alleviate some of the immediate R&D pressures on cost and productivity and Dianne’s specific experience in global solution development will be of great use to our clients”.

About ClinTec International
ClinTec International is a global contract clinical research organisation, established in 1997 by Dr Rabinder Buttar, the company’s President and CEO. ClinTec International has a presence in 40 developed and emerging countries, covering Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Central and South Africa, Latin America, India and the US.

In addition to ClinTec International’s vast expertise in oncology, the organisation has also conducted over 400 clinical trials in other therapeutic areas including anti-infectives, cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, respiratory medicine and rheumatology. ClinTec International excels in conducting clinical studies in diverse geographical locations, supported by a team of world-class project managers and clinical research associates. ClinTec International’s ‘fast, flexible and focused‟ approach to clinical research ensures an added advantage to the drug development process. The organisations range of services includes Clinical Monitoring and Project Management, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Writing, Data Management and Biostatistics, Global Clinical Resourcing, Quality Assurance, Drug Development Consultancy and Clinical Training courses.

For more information about ClinTec, please visit www.clintec.com

CONTACT:

ClinTec International Headquarters
Bobby Bal, Senior Director Corporate Development
+44 (0) 141 226 1120
bbal@clintec.com

KEYWORDS: United Kingdom United States Europe North America Pennsylvania

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Clinical Trials Medical Devices Pharmaceutical Research Science

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Pfizer Global Manufacturing Announces Plans to Reconfigure Its Global Plant Network

Tue, 18 May 2010 10:19:56 -0400

Eight Sites Targeted for Exit; Reductions Recommended At Six Plants; Operations to Expand at Others

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pfizer Global Manufacturing announced today plans to reconfigure its worldwide plant network to create a fully aligned manufacturing and supply organization from the combined networks of Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Wyeth. This implementation of the first phase of Pfizer's previously announced Plant Network Strategy includes recommendations to cease operations at eight manufacturing sites in Ireland, Puerto Rico, and the United States by the end of 2015, as well as to reduce operations at six other plants in Germany, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100416/PFIZERLOGO )

The planned reductions will increase manufacturing efficiency and lower costs by more effectively using resources and technology, improving plant processes, eliminating excess capacity, and better aligning production with market demand. These changes will result in a global reduction of approximately 6,000 jobs over the next several years. Product transfers will expand the roles of a number of plants in Pfizer's manufacturing network.

"The restructuring of our global plant network is critical to our efforts to remain competitive so that we can continue to meet patient needs and expand the access and affordability of our medicines," said Pfizer Global Manufacturing President Nat Ricciardi.

"Nevertheless, today's announcement is very difficult to make because of its impact on our colleagues," Mr. Ricciardi added. "We have a tremendous global workforce and some of the best manufacturing facilities in the industry. But we must continue to adjust to the fast-changing and extremely competitive environment in which we operate. That means realigning our network and reducing our manufacturing capacity so that we can position Pfizer for the next phase of growth across biopharmaceuticals and our diversified business portfolio."

The announcement is the culmination of an intense half-year evaluation of sites that manufacture aseptic (injectable), solid-dose, and biotechnology medicines, as well as consumer healthcare products.

Pfizer plans to discontinue manufacturing operations over the next 18 months to five years at three solid-dose sites that manufacture tablets and capsules: Caguas in Puerto Rico; Loughbeg in Ireland; and Rouses Point, N.Y., in the United States. (Wyeth had previously announced in 2005 that it would exit and sell the Rouses Point site.)

The company also plans to phase out pharmaceutical solid-dose manufacturing at Guayama, Puerto Rico, and that site will expand its Consumer Healthcare operations.

Two aseptic facilities that make sterile injectable medicines are targeted for exit: Dublin, Ireland; and Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Reductions are planned at two other solid-dose facilities: Illertissen, Germany and Newbridge, Ireland.

While Pfizer's biotechnology portfolio continues to grow significantly, the company also proposes changes at its sites that manufacture vaccines and large-molecule medicines to improve efficiencies, capitalize on process and productivity improvements and new technology, and to simplify the supply chain. Pfizer plans to exit operations in Shanbally, Ireland, as well as biotechnology manufacturing in Pearl River, N.Y., in the United States. Plants in Sanford, N.C., and Andover, Mass., in the United States and Havant, in the United Kingdom, also expect to see reductions.

Pfizer plans to cease production of consumer healthcare products at its plants in Richmond, Va., and Pearl River in the United States. The Pearl River site will remain Pfizer's Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research and Development, as previously announced. Consumer Healthcare R&D also will continue in Richmond. In both Pearl River and in Richmond, R&D jobs will be unaffected by the planned manufacturing exits.

The timing of specific exits will depend upon the complexity of operations, the amount of time required for product transfers, and other business requirements.

In an effort to preserve jobs and minimize the impact to communities, Pfizer will explore opportunities to divest plants in the event operations are discontinued. Success will depend upon a number of market factors, including present demand for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

"We are keenly aware of the impact these types of changes have on employees and their families," Mr. Ricciardi said. "We will provide support to our colleagues who lose their jobs so that their transition to new careers is as smooth as possible."

Pfizer's solid-dose network will include plants in Freiburg, Germany; Amboise, France; Vega Baja and Barceloneta, Puerto Rico; Ascoli, Italy; Newbridge, Ireland; and Illertissen, Germany. Plants in Puurs, Belgium; Perth, Australia; Catania, Italy; and Kalamazoo, Mich., in the United States will make up the aseptic network.

The biotechnology network will consist of sites in Grange Castle, Ireland; Strangnas, Sweden; Algete (Madrid), Spain; Havant, United Kingdom; and Andover, Mass. and Sanford, N.C., in the United States.

The Consumer Healthcare network will include plants in Guayama, Puerto Rico; Montreal, Canada; Albany, Ga., in the United States; Aprilia, Italy; Hsinchu, Taiwan; and Suzhou, China.

Evaluations of Pfizer's Animal Health manufacturing sites are presently underway. Recommendations are expected by the end of June. Studies of the Nutrition and Emerging Markets plant networks will begin later this year.

Pfizer Global Manufacturing presently operates 78 plants internationally with a workforce of approximately 33,000 colleagues. It is one of the world's preeminent biopharmaceutical supply organizations.

Recommended Site Exits:

Caguas, Puerto Rico (solid-dose)
Carolina, Puerto Rico (aseptic)
Dublin, Ireland (aseptic)
Loughbeg, Ireland (solid-dose)
Shanbally, Ireland (biotechnology)
Rouses Point, N.Y. (solid-dose)
Richmond, Virginia (consumer healthcare manufacturing targeted for exit; R&D operations to remain in Richmond)
Pearl River, N.Y. (proposed exit of biotechnology and consumer healthcare manufacturing; vaccines and biotherapeutics vaccines R&D will remain active at this site)

Recommended Plant Reductions:

Guayama, Puerto Rico (phase-out of pharmaceutical solid dose operations planned; volume increases in consumer healthcare)
Newbridge, Ireland (solid-dose)
Andover, Mass., U.S. (biotechnology)
Sanford, N.C., U.S. (biotechnology)
Havant, UK (biotechnology)
Illertissen, Germany (solid-dose)

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

The proposals set forth in this press release are subject to compliance with all local legal and regulatory obligations, including the obligation to inform and/or consult with labor organizations, works councils, trade unions and employee representatives.

SOURCE Pfizer Inc.