Exclusive
Pfizer is to shut Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) at Discovery Park with a loss of 500 roles as part of cost cutting measures announced last month.
The pharmaceutical firm plans to cut $3.5 billion worth of jobs and expenses across its business this year and future years due to falling sales of its COVID-19 vaccine.
Several US sites and one in Ireland have already been impacted and today (November 14) staff at the PSSM operations at Discovery Park were informed of the cuts.
Staff received an email last night informing them of a meeting this morning when the closure of operations was announced. The announcement was made by Pfizer senior vice president PSSM Andrew McKillop. He is due to fly back to the US tomorrow.
A Pfizer spokesperson said: “As previously announced, Pfizer has launched an enterprise-wide cost realignment program. Various areas of Pfizer’s global enterprise are making changes to operate more efficiently and effectively. These changes will be implemented on a rolling basis and will differ area to area.
“One of the consequences of this program is a plan to consolidate our Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) capabilities, aligned around our portfolio priorities.
“Therefore, the company has made the difficult decision to propose a discontinuation of our PSSM operations at Sandwich, Kent, impacting approximately 500 roles. Under the proposals, other functions at our Sandwich site will continue with a different size.
“We are proud of our heritage of breakthrough science in the UK and we will retain a scientific presence in the UK including at our Discovery Park location in Sandwich.
“These proposals are now in consultation with the affected colleagues. All job-related decisions will be made with transparency, respect, and in compliance with all applicable laws. More information around this global program will be shared over the coming months and as part of the full-year guidance for 2024.”
A 45 day ‘consultation period’ is now taking place.
East Kent`s MPs Craig Mackinlay, Sir Roger Gale and Natalie Elphicke have expressed their regret following the announcement.
In a statement they said: “The loss of employment locally will undoubtedly be a challenging development for the affected staff and their families.
“However, we should also note that Pfizer intends to maintain a presence on the Sandwich site, and we highlight the significant strides made by Discovery Park in evolving into a world-leading science park. The diversified functions at the Sandwich site underscore the park`s resilience and potential for growth. The strength of Discovery Park as a hub for scientific innovation will offer opportunities for those affected, and whose jobs are not transferred to other sites, to explore alternative employment within the same campus.
“We are committed to supporting the affected employees during this transition and are working closely with Pfizer to ensure transparency, respect, and compliance with applicable legislation throughout the consultation process.”
Labour’s parliamentary candidate for what will be East Thanet, Polly Billington, said: “It is very concerning for Thanet’s economy and worrying for the 500 employees and their families in the run up to Christmas. We need an industrial strategy that builds on the skills and talents of the local workforce and creates jobs in energy, construction, science and tech.”
Pfizer has been based in Sandwich since 1954.
In February 2011, Pfizer announced it would be closing the entire research and development facility at Sandwich within 18–24 months, with most of the 2,400 workers at the site being made redundant.
In June of that year Pfizer renamed the Sandwich site ‘Discovery Park’ and put it on the market for sale. In the same month, Pfizer announced it would retain 350 jobs at Discovery Park, subsequently increased to 650 in November 2011. Pfizer sold the freehold to the Discovery Park site to Discovery Park Ltd in August 2012. As part of the sale, Pfizer agreed to take a lease of around 250,000 sq ft of offices and laboratories at the site.
