Pfizer has announced a major $150 million upgrade to its Melbourne-based facility to support its development and production of new antimicrobial treatments.
Australia's Industry Minister Ed Husic said, “Because of this investment Australians will have access to more of the medicines they need, when they need them.
“The life-saving medicines manufactured in Melbourne are shipped all over the world, helping millions of people each year."
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as ‘the silent pandemic’ and is considered by the World Health Organization to be a top ten area of public health concern.
AMR makes infections more challenging to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death, with annual deaths from AMR predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050.
Without intervention, it is estimated that by 2050, 10,000 Australians will die each year from drug-resistant infections.
Pfizer's investment in the Melbourne site has included the construction of a new separate facility that hosts two newly installed freeze-drying machines known as 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 key site processes.
Pfizer said 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, including for the 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.
“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,” said Anne Harris, the managing director of Pfizer Australia and New Zealand.
“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,” said Ms Harris.
Victoria's Minister for Jobs and Industry, Natalie Hutchins MP, visited the site to mark the milestone installation of key technology known as lyophilisers and witness its operation, including productivity enhancements, such as robotics.