Pfizer, Sandwich, Kent

The European research headquarters of leading pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, based in Sandwich, Kent was honoured with a chemical landmark award on 14 October 2010.

The award was in recognition of more than half a century of discoveries and is widely recognised as having been at the forefront of medicinal breakthroughs over the last 50 years which have made a major contribution to the health and quality of life of the nation.  

These discoveries include:

• Viagra, the drug used to treat erectile dysfunction
• Istin, the world's leading treatment for hypertension and angina
• Diflucan and Vfend, which treat life-threatening systemic fungal infections
• and, more recently, CelsSentri, a promising advance in the war against Aids/HIV, as well as Dectomax, which treats parasites in cattle.   

Receiving the award from immediate RSC Past President, Professor Dave Garner, Senior Vice President, Pfizer Research and Development, Dr Rod Mackenzie said: "I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of Pfizer and our Sandwich site.  Sandwich has long been a chemistry powerhouse, built on the passion and desire of generations of outstanding scientists to change lives for the better.  It is a wonderful testament to the many groundbreaking contributions to medicine Sandwich has made over the site's 56 year history".

Employees past and present involved in these important discoveries attended the ceremony on the Sandwich site which included presentations by Dr Ruth McKernan, Head of PharmaTherapeutics Research Units & Site Director and Dr Tony Wood, Head of Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry.   

The citation on the chemical landmark plaque reads:

Pfizer Sandwich

In recognition of the significant and enduring contribution made by 

Pfizer Scientists to health and quality of life

 through the discovery, development and manufacture of 

novel medicines for human and animal use.

Sandwich Research laboratories established 1957

14 October 2010