Pfizer and Fermentation, a History of Manufacturing Innovation
Jul 01 2008
Kalamazoo, Mich. – July 1, 2008 -- Pfizer CentreSource (PCS), one of the world’s leading suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and dosage form manufacturing, today offers large-scale GMP fermentation capabilities that draw on Pfizer’s long standing experience with advanced fermentation processes, a history of manufacturing innovation that stretches back to World War II, D-Day, and the company’s efforts to supply Allied Forces with penicillin.
Pfizer was recently honored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for its development of deep-tank fermentation, which enabled the mass production of large quantities of penicillin for use in World War II, and the process was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in a ceremony held in June in New York City.
The company’s early technological advances in applying its deep tank fermentation for citric acid and gluconic acid led to important breakthroughs in manufacturing antibiotics such as streptomycin, Terramycin®, and, of course, penicillin. Thanks to its large-scale fermentation capabilities, by March of 1944, Pfizer was producing more penicillin in one month than it had in all of 1943. According to the ACS, most of the penicillin that went ashore with Allied forces on D-Day came from Pfizer's facility in Brooklyn.
In keeping with its past innovations in fermentation, Pfizer’s Kalamazoo facility is today the company’s Center of Excellence in Fermentation. Leveraging this legacy and expertise in custom GMP fermentation, Pfizer CentreSource (PCS) today delivers these services to customers around the globe. The company has continually invested in the know-how, equipment, processes, and quality control protocols for even the largest, most complex GMP fermentation projects.
About Pfizer CentreSource:
Pfizer CentreSource (PCS) is a separate operating unit within Pfizer, the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company, which has extensive capabilities and experience in active pharmaceutical ingredient and dosage form manufacturing. A globally networked business, PCS markets active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), fine chemical intermediates, finished dosage forms and provides analytical and regulatory support. For more information, contact Pfizer CentreSource at 269-833-5844 or visit www.pfizercentresource.com.