Pfizer invests $150m for microbial resistance

Pfizer Australia has announced a major upgrade to its manufacturing facility in Melbourne to boost production of pharmaceuticals aiming to help address rising levels of antimicrobial resistance.

Pfizer has invested $150 million to develop advanced pharmaceutical production facilities for new antimicrobial treatments tackling what is one of the biggest threats to global health.

The Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins will visit the site today to mark the milestone installation of technology known as lyophilisers as well as the utilisation of advanced artificial intelligence and robotics.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as ‘the silent pandemic’ and is considered by the World Health Organization to be a top 10 area of public health concern.

AMR makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death – without intervention, it is estimated that by 2050, 10,000 Australians will die each year from drug-resistant infections.

Pfizer Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Anne Harris said: “We are thrilled to reach this important milestone in our investment to support the development and delivery of new antimicrobials at our Melbourne site, and to be investing in Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.

“A key strategic pillar of Pfizer’s product innovation work is our effort to help slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest global health threats of our time. We are also pleased to be providing 500 advanced manufacturing jobs at our Melbourne site.”

Investment in the Melbourne site has included the construction of a new facility equipped with two freeze-drying lyophilisers, which are used in the antimicrobial manufacturing process. The site has also been selected for a trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology designed to support site processes.

The site upgrades are on track to complete installation work and be operational by mid-2025, with commercial manufacture commencing in 2026.

Medicines currently manufactured at the Melbourne site – which include those for treatment of cancer as well as antimicrobials, anaesthetics, anti-inflammatory and other medicines – are exported to more than 60 countries worldwide and treat up to 15 million patients each year.

Picture: Pfizer/Mulgrave, Melbourne facility