Pfizer to build $465m cutting-edge sterile injectable plant in U.S.

A release by the company on Tuesday July 24 said the U.S. investment is expected to  strengthen the company’s capability to produce and supply critical, life-saving injectable medicines for patients around the world.

Known as Modular Aseptic Processing (MAP), the new, multi-story, 400,000-square-foot production facility will also support the area economy by creating an estimated 450 new jobs over the next several years. This expands Pfizer’s presence in Portage, located in Kalamazoo County, where the company now employs more than 2,200 people at one of its largest plants.

“This investment is part of our overall plan announced in January to invest approximately $5 billion in U.S.-based capital projects as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. During the next six years, we expect to invest approximately $1.1 billion in Kalamazoo County – which is in addition to the $1 billion we have invested in the site over the past decade,” said Ian Read, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“Every day, we strive to enhance our ability to bring medicines to the patients who need them, and the new facility we are building in Michigan will help us continue to deliver therapies that significantly improve people’s lives.”

“This investment will strengthen Pfizer’s leadership in sterile manufacturing technology and help meet growing patient demand,” said Kirsten Lund-Jurgensen, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and President, Pfizer Global Supply. “It also will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs, fortifying Michigan’s high-tech manufacturing environment.”

Ron Perry, Site Leader for the Portage plant, said the new sterile injectable facility will strengthen the site’s role in Pfizer’s global network. “Sterile drug product manufacturing is incredibly complex.  This contemporary facility will combine cutting-edge technology and a highly talented workforce to assure we remain a trusted and reliable supplier of these therapies to patients.”

MAP will incorporate the most technically advanced aseptic manufacturing equipment, systems and design, including multiple, self-contained modular manufacturing lines. This allows the manufacturing line in each module to be entirely separate from all other manufacturing lines. Groundbreaking is planned for spring 2019, with construction expected to be completed in 2021. After the facility is validated by regulatory agencies, production should begin in 2024.

“Pfizer’s investment is a major boost to the state’s pharmaceutical industry and further diversifies Michigan’s business environment,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said. “I appreciate Pfizer’s long-term commitment and the economic benefits this will bring to the region and the people who live there.”