A year after acquiring exclusive rights to supply Pfizer's gene therapies in the whole of Europe, the US pharmaceutical firm's Madrid plant has been awarded another important contract: it will become the exclusive distribution centre for these treatments in Latin America and Canada as well. 70.2 million euros have been invested between these two milestones to increase production capacity.

Patients in the new distribution areas will soon join over 17,000 patients who already receive these treatments from the Spanish plant in seventy countries, including the United States, Japan and China.

Rare diseases
Gene therapies being developed at the biotechnology plant in San Sebastián de los Reyes combat various rare diseases of genetic origin. The centre, which began operations in the 1960s, is currently the only Pfizer centre worldwide that distributes recombinant clotting factor treatments for haemophilia A and B patients.

The plant employs 320 professionals who work in the production and final packaging of highly complex, value-added sterile lyophilised drugs.

A unique example
Pfizer Spain President and Director General Sergio Rodriguez said, "I am delighted to announce Pfizer's new commitment to Spain, and to science in our country. The biotechnology plant in San Sebastián de los Reyes is a unique example of Pfizer's commitment to its patients worldwide, to providing them with solutions and treatments that improve their quality of life on a daily basis. Especially the company's commitment to patients with rare diseases that require highly complex treatments”.

Plant director, Ana Maqueda, explained, "To be chosen once again, this time as Pfizer's gene therapy distribution centre for Canada and Latin America, makes us feel incredibly proud. At the San Sebastián de los Reyes plant, we work every day to achieve the highest standards of quality and supply, which enable us to provide these innovative treatments to patients all over the world under the right conditions."

Finally, the director of the company's rare disease unit, Nadia Rodriguez, highlighted that out, "Pfizer’s commitment to science and innovation is clear, because it’s the result of our dedication to patients, and our commitment to bringing them life-changing innovations."

^{Photo: Pfizer}