Pfizer UK has been at the forefront of medical research for decades, with a rich history of innovation and discovery. The company's UK-based research and development team has been instrumental in developing life-saving treatments and vaccines.
In the fight against COVID-19, Pfizer UK played a crucial role in the development of the Comirnaty vaccine, which was approved for emergency use in the UK in December 2020. This vaccine has since been rolled out to millions of people across the country.
The UK is home to Pfizer's global research and development headquarters, where scientists and researchers work tirelessly to develop new treatments and vaccines for a range of diseases. The company's commitment to research and development has earned it a reputation as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry.
Timeline
In 2001, Pfizer UK received the Queen's Award for Enterprise for the discovery and development of Viagra.
Pfizer UK relocated its headquarters and sales and marketing functions to new offices at Walton Oaks in 2002.
The company began offering employees at the Sandwich site the option of leaving work at noon on Fridays if their work was completed in June 2003.
In 2007, it was announced that Pfizer UK would close its manufacturing plant at Sandwich, resulting in the loss of around 400 jobs.
Dr Ken Richardson was inducted into the US National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2008 for his role in the discovery of Diflucan.
The construction of an £87 million link-road between the Sandwich site and the A299 was approved by HM Government in August 2009.
Pfizer acquired a portfolio of anti-infective medicines from AstraZeneca in August 2016.
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2000–2010
In April 2001, Pfizer UK received the Queen's Award for Enterprise for the discovery and development of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil).
Pfizer UK relocated its headquarters and sales and marketing functions to new offices at Walton Oaks, near Tadworth, Surrey in 2002.
The company began offering employees at the Sandwich site the option of leaving work at noon on Fridays if their work was completed, starting in June 2003.
Pfizer UK announced the closure of its manufacturing plant at Sandwich in September 2007, resulting in the loss of around 400 jobs.
Dr Ken Richardson was inducted into the US National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2008 for his role in the discovery of Diflucan while working at Pfizer UK.
Construction of an £87 million link-road between the Sandwich site and the A299 was approved by HM Government in August 2009.
Pfizer acquired a portfolio of anti-infective medicines from AstraZeneca in August 2016, but this occurred outside of the 2000-2010 time frame.
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2010–Present
In 2011, Pfizer announced it would be closing the entire research and development facility at Sandwich within 18–24 months.
Pfizer stated that most of the 2,400 workers at the site would be made redundant, although it hoped to transfer several hundred positions to other sites or to Pfizer partner companies.
The Science and Technology Select Committee requested oral evidence from representatives of Pfizer and the Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts, on the closure of the Sandwich site.
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Pfizer established Neusentis in Cambridge, which would operate as a biotech-like unit combining research in pain, sensory disorders, and regenerative medicine.
Neusentis acquired biopharmaceutical company Icagen in November 2011.
Pfizer renamed the Sandwich site 'Discovery Park' and put it on the market for sale in June 2011.
Pfizer retained 350 jobs at Discovery Park, which was later increased to 650 in November 2011.
The Pfizer site at Sandwich became an enterprise zone with discounted business rates, easier planning rules, and access to superfast broadband in August 2011.
Pfizer sold the freehold to the Discovery Park site to Discovery Park Ltd, a private consortium, in August 2012.
Pfizer agreed to take a lease of around 250,000 sq ft of offices and laboratories at the site as part of the sale.
In November 2023, Pfizer announced plans to eliminate 500 jobs at its Sandwich, Kent facility as part of a broader $3.5 billion cost-reduction strategy.
This move follows the company's lowered annual revenue projections, affected by diminishing demand for its COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, which led to Pfizer's first quarterly loss since 2019.
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Close UK Manufacturing Sites
In 2007, Pfizer UK announced the closure of its manufacturing plant at Sandwich, resulting in the loss of around 400 jobs.
This move was part of a larger restructuring effort, but it marked a significant shift in Pfizer's UK operations.
Pfizer's manufacturing site at Sandwich was later renamed Discovery Park and put on the market for sale in June 2011.
The site was eventually sold to a private consortium in August 2012, with Pfizer retaining a lease for 250,000 sq ft of offices and laboratories.
In 2020, Pfizer announced plans to close its global cold chain packaging and distribution site in Havant, near Portsmouth, resulting in 270 job losses.
The company cited consolidation of its global packaging operations in Puurs, Belgium, as the reason for the closure.
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UK authorizes first fully tested COVID-19 vaccine
The UK has authorized its first fully tested COVID-19 vaccine, a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic. The vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, has shown to be about 95 percent effective at preventing illness in a large clinical trial in the United States.
This vaccine is the first to be fully tested for safety and effectiveness before being approved for emergency use. Pfizer and BioNTech began a "rolling review" process in the UK in October, giving health regulators time to review data as it became available.
The UK has contracted with Pfizer to provide 40 million doses of vaccine, enough to immunize 20 million people. The first doses will arrive within days from the company's manufacturing site in Puurs, Belgium.
The vaccine uses messenger RNA to deliver instructions to human cells for building one of the coronavirus's proteins. This process triggers the immune system to build antibodies and other defenses that stop future invasions of the virus.
The vaccine must be stored at -70° Celsius to remain effective, which requires special shipping and storage conditions. This could make its roll-out more challenging than for traditional vaccines, which need only refrigeration.
Awards and Recognition
Pfizer UK has received numerous awards and recognition for its achievements.
In 1991, the company was presented with the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement in recognition of its discovery of Diflucan.
This award marked a significant milestone for Pfizer UK, showcasing its innovative capabilities.
The company's dedication to innovation was further recognized in 1993 with the Queen's Award for Export Achievement.
Pfizer UK was awarded the Queen's Award for International Trade in both 1997 and 2000, demonstrating its commitment to global trade and commerce.
These awards are a testament to Pfizer UK's hard work and dedication to excellence in its field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pfizer headquarters in the UK?
Pfizer UK's business headquarters is located in Tadworth, Surrey. This is where the company's main UK operations are based.
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