Pfizer Worldwide R&D – Advancing Medicines and Vaccines that Matter Most to People
Pfizer is executing a comprehensive R&D strategy to become the biopharmaceutical industry leader in translating advanced science into novel medicines and vaccines that matter most to people. Since 2010, scientists in Pfizer’s Worldwide Research and Development (WRD) organisation have advanced this strategy across three horizons – delivering the Pfizer portfolio, innovating new capabilities and creating the R&D ecosystem of the future.
Pfizer conducts research in cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine diseases; neuroscience; oncology; vaccines; pain and sensory disorders; immunology and autoimmunity; inflammation and remodelling; and orphan and genetic diseases. Biotech units Rinat and CovX complement the R&D portfolio with unique expertise in monoclonal antibodies and antibody drug conjugates.
Accelerating the Translation of Science into Important Drugs
Rigour and excellence in science and medicine are the foundation of Pfizer’s WRD organisation. In recent years, Pfizer has moved from a traditional small-molecule pill-in-the-bottle company to one with a breadth of scientific approaches and technologies for designing small molecule medicines, large molecule (biological) drugs and vaccines.
In early 2011, Pfizer accelerated its strategy to improve R&D productivity and generate sustainable innovation. Resources are focused on disease areas and research projects with the highest probability of scientific, medical and commercial success. The WRD organisation has expanded strategic partnerships with external researchers to make Pfizer more competitive. All drug discovery and clinical development programs are designed to offer patients a distinct medical advantage versus current treatment.
Pfizer R&D in the UK
In Cambridge, UK, Pfizer established Neusentis in April, 2011. Neusentis is a biotech-like unit combining research in pain, sensory disorders and regenerative medicine. Pfizer has world-leading expertise in the field of sodium ion channels. Neusentis scientists apply this knowledge to deliver new medicines across all forms of pain influenced by this mechanism. They also research auditory and visual disorders linked to ion channels, and take forward a regenerative medicine portfolio, including Pfizer’s first stem cell clinical study, initiated in 2011 for patients with ulcerative colitis.
The name, location and philosophy of Neusentis epitomise the future of drug discovery and development at Pfizer. It represents a team of scientists with endless curiosity and scientific courage working in partnership with academic researchers in Cambridge and around the globe to change the lives of patients suffering from pain, and other diseases and disorders for which there are no therapies or cures.
In June 2011, Pfizer announced that it would retain some of its Pharmaceutical Sciences operations at Discovery Park in Sandwich Kent. This group of about 350 colleagues supports the development of products in Pfizer’s mid- and late-stage pipeline of new medicines.
Strategic Partners in Bioinnovation Hubs
Throughout the world, Pfizer has an extensive network of external collaborations with leading scientists and physicians in universities, academic medical centres and biotech firms. In 2010, the Centres for Therapeutic Innovation were created, providing access to Pfizer’s best-in-class antibody libraries and technologies to partners in academia with translational science expertise in drug targets, disease biology and patient populations. These strategic research alliances share the best science and speed the progress of next generation therapeutics from laboratory to clinical trials and onto the market.
In addition to the Neusentis unit in Cambridge, UK, Pfizer has research laboratories in the bioinnovation hubs of La Jolla and San Francisco, California; Pearl River, New York; and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company is expanding its R&D presence in Shanghai, China.