A new development centre for veterinary vaccines which will accelerate the development of new animal health products has been opened by Pfizer as part of its annual US $300 million commitment to research and development.

The new centre is located on the Louvain-la-Neuve scientific plant near Brussels. "This is an historic occasion for Pfizer Animal Health," said Juan Ramon Alaix, president of Pfizer Animal Health, "Because it is our first pilot plant in Europe for developing animal vaccines. It also demonstrates the strength and value of our continuing partnership with our PGM colleagues".

The new facility houses the development operations for products and processes in the area of formulation, filling and lyophilisation of products. The company's decision to establish its development centre on the same site at which new products will be manufactured is a strategic one. The decision makes it possible for the production site to become more involved in developing new products.

The plant is at the cutting edge of biotechnologies and aseptic operations and employs over 200 people. New on the site is an integrated line for filling vaccines in plastic vials which is dedicated to manufacturing vaccines for pigs which includes the product, Improvac. This is a vaccine to combat boar taint in pigs and is a viable alternative to physical castration. The vaccine has a huge potential as it combines the search for economic advantages with the welfare of animals.

More than 400 finished products from the site are distributed throughout Europe, the US and Brazil and represents an annual volume of 125 million doses with a turnover of approximately $150 million dollars.