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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Pfizer to close UK research site | Pfizer to close UK research site |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Pharmaceuticals group Pfizer is to close its research and development (R&D) facility in Kent, which employs 2,400 people. | Pharmaceuticals group Pfizer is to close its research and development (R&D) facility in Kent, which employs 2,400 people. |
| Pfizer said the majority of people would be made redundant over the next two years. | Pfizer said the majority of people would be made redundant over the next two years. |
| But it added that it hoped to transfer several hundred positions to other sites or other companies doing work for Pfizer. | But it added that it hoped to transfer several hundred positions to other sites or other companies doing work for Pfizer. |
| Business Secretary Vince Cable called the decision "extremely disappointing". | |
| The company closed its manufacturing operations in Sandwich in 2007. | The company closed its manufacturing operations in Sandwich in 2007. |
| The move is part of Pfizer's reorganisation of its research and development capacity across the world. | The move is part of Pfizer's reorganisation of its research and development capacity across the world. |
| The Sandwich site does research and development on allergy and respiratory drugs. | The Sandwich site does research and development on allergy and respiratory drugs. |
| Pfizer's Ruth McKernan, who heads the site, said it had played "an important role in the discovery and development of medicines and has brought many life-saving treatments to patients". | Pfizer's Ruth McKernan, who heads the site, said it had played "an important role in the discovery and development of medicines and has brought many life-saving treatments to patients". |
| A company spokesperson said the decision to close Sandwich did not reflect any unhappiness with government policy. | A company spokesperson said the decision to close Sandwich did not reflect any unhappiness with government policy. |
| 'Body blow' | |
| Pfizer said that although it was moving out of the Sandwich site it hoped that R&D would continue there with a "partner organisation". | |
| The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said: "The company has been clear that this decision was part of its global programme of change and not based on a judgement of the UK as a location for pharmaceutical research." | |
| He added that he would be meeting Pfizer, other companies and local representatives "as a matter of urgency to discuss innovative ideas for continuing R&D activities in this very well-equipped facility". | |
| Conservative MP for South Thanet Laura Sandys said it was a body blow for east Kent and a big shock to the community. |