Pfizer Vaccine Research — Ottawa, Ontario

Pfizer Canada's Vaccine Research Ottawa (VRO) is located in the Kanata Research Park of Canada's capital. A G8 capital and global technology centre, Ottawa offers a rare mix of economic and academic opportunities along with cultural and recreational experiences.

The facility encompasses 26,000 square feet and currently employs close to 40 scientists, technicians and support staff.

Prior to its acquisition by Pfizer in 2008, VRO was the Canadian subsidiary of Coley Pharmaceutical Group, a biotechnology company that focused its efforts on developing "CpG" drugs that activated the immune system to fight diseases and enhance the effectiveness of vaccines.

Vaccine Research Ottawa is now part of Pfizer's Vaccine Research and Development unit and dedicates its efforts on pre-clinical and non-clinical research to develop and evaluate vaccines against infectious diseases, cancer, allergy and asthma and central nervous system disorders with a particular emphasis on adjuvant and delivery system platforms. VRO works on a number on vaccine projects in collaboration with other research sites such as Pearl River, NY and La Jolla, CA.