Pfizer's NEWCON Facility In Germany Named 2008 Facility Of The Year Award Winner
Pfizer Inc's ‘NEWCON' facility in Illertissen, Germany, has been named Overall Winner of the 2008 Facility of the Year Award (FOYA), co-sponsored by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), a global not-for-profit association of 25,000 pharmaceutical science and manufacturing professionals; INTERPHEX, the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturing event; and Pharmaceutical Processing magazine. Previously, in February, Illertissen was named Facility of the Year winner in the category of Process Innovation.
Pfizer's selection was announced October 27 at ISPE's annual meeting in Boca Raton, Fla. (USA). Peter Remiger (Site Leader, Pfizer Global Manufacturing - Illertissen, Germany) and Clemens Hohfelser, (Director of IT, Illertissen, Germany) accepted the award.
``We are delighted to accept the 2008 Facility of the Year Award," said Nat Ricciardi, President, Pfizer Global Manufacturing (PGM). ``The award is a strong acknowledgment of the vision, dedication and industry-leading work of the people involved in this project, both Pfizer colleagues and our external partners. I believe the innovative concepts embodied in this facility represent a key accomplishment for Pfizer and an important milestone in the levels of efficiency and safety that are now possible in pharmaceutical production. Pfizer's Executive Leadership Team joins me in congratulating our colleagues involved in this important work, and our deepest appreciation goes to all of them."
Illertissen is a drug product manufacturing site in the Pfizer Global Manufacturing network. Focused on oral solid dosage forms, the site is a center of excellence in containment manufacturing. Rapidly growing demand for the recently launched product Chantix® and future capacity for highly potent compounds led to the decision by Pfizer Global Manufacturing to expand existing capacity.
According to Remiger, the award was a high point for Pfizer colleagues around the world. ``We are very excited that the Pfizer Illertissen Site has won this prestigious award," he said. ``Because this honor really reflects the work of so many colleagues from many locations and functions, accepting it speaks to a success story that is truly a worldwide one."
The newly built NEWCON (NEW CONtainment) facility is a single-floor, single-containment module that can house up to three production trains, with one train currently operational for the production of varenicline (Chantix®, Champix®). According to IMS benchmarks, this was the fastest product launch in the European pharmaceutical industry, with 16 European countries launched in a five-month period.
Pfizer's NEWCON facility was named the overall 2008 Facility of the Year Award winner in part because all of its production equipment is located in a dedicated processing module and is mostly automated to ensure that no dust from the highly potent varenicline can escape from the manufacturing area. This containment concept made possible, for the first time, dust-free production and fully automated production of film-coated tablets. All of the process stages are controlled and monitored from a separate control room so that employees do not come into contact with dust that might be generated during the tablet production run. This extent of automation has not previously existed in containment production anywhere in the world. These innovative concepts were accomplished by leveraging Pfizer's One Engineering Community expertise to produce this successful achievement.
Instituted to recognize the accomplishments, commitment and dedication of individuals in companies worldwide, the FOYA program shares innovative and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technology to benefit the industry and the global consumers it serves. The judging panel selected the Overall Winner of the 2008 Facility of the Year Award from among previously announced Category Winners that demonstrated excellence in:
About Pfizer Global Manufacturing
Pfizer Global Manufacturing (PGM) is an integral part of Pfizer Inc, one of the world's leading innovation-based pharmaceutical businesses. PGM is also one of the world's preeminent supply organizations -– a worldwide aggregate of innovative technology and human talent that is greater than the sum of its parts. The organization comprises approximately 30% of Pfizer's colleagues who focus on improving the quality of people's lives by assuring the supply of Pfizer's high-quality human and animal health products.
About ISPE
ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, is the Society of choice for 25,000 pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals in 90 countries around the globe. ISPE aims to be the catalyst for "Engineering Pharmaceutical Innovation" by providing Members with opportunities to develop technical knowledge, exchange practical experience, and collaborate with global regulatory agencies and industry leaders. Founded in 1980, ISPE has worldwide headquarters in Tampa, Fla., USA; its European office in Brussels, Belgium; and its Asia Pacific office in Singapore. Visit www.ISPE.org for additional Society news and information.
About INTERPHEX
INTERPHEX is the world's most trusted source for leading-edge technology, education, and sourcing of the products and services that drive scientific innovation for Life Sciences Manufacturing. The INTERPHEX Conference and Exhibition is the world's largest gathering of professionals and technology providers for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing industry, now in its 29th year. Scheduled for 26-28 March (2009 ???)at the Philadelphia Convention Center, INTERPHEX2008 will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors, an expanded conference program, and a high-profile roster of speakers. For information, visit www.interphex.com.
About Pharmaceutical Processing
Pharmaceutical Processing magazine is the pharmaceutical industry's leading information provider, reporting on a full range of innovative new products, equipment, technology and trends for 31,000 engineers and managers responsible for the development, manufacture, validation and packaging of pharmaceuticals. An official sponsor of INTERPHEX, Pharmaceutical Processing distributes critical information to these professionals in a timely manner through a full range of print, electronic and on-line media. For information, visit www.pharmpro.com.
SOURCE: Pfizer Inc.