Pfizer partners with Canadian policymakers to continue shaping an environment conducive to research and innovation

Pfizer accelerates its global quests for external partners - striving to deliver 2 new externally sourced products each year, beginning in 2010. During the BIO International Convention this week in Boston, Pfizer will be meeting with potential biotech partners, and discussing the importance of building the foundation in Canada for an enabling policy and commercial environment to attract and retain research and innovation.

"In terms of research and development, Canada has solid infrastructure, highly qualified people and a close proximity to the US market, "says John Helou, Vice President, Government Affairs, Pfizer Canada. "However, when competing for global investments, in addition to strong intellectual property protection, ensuring a favorable commercial and policy environment that supports innovative R&D is integral, as this is a highly competitive and high-risk businessⁱ." The Canadian-owned biotechnology industry encompasses more than 200 companies employing approximately 8,000 Canadian scientists, who are working on hundreds of new productsⁱⁱ.

Alignment of healthcare and economic policies - Québec Province leads the way
"In Canada, we think that Québec is certainly a leading jurisdiction in terms of fostering an environment conducive to R&D by introducing policies that align health and economic development, recognize the risks involved, and ensure the integrity of our innovations. The recent adoption of Québec's drug policy is a clear sign that the government wants to continue shaping a climate which is favorable for a strong research-based industry," adds John Helou.

Pfizer's quest for biotech partners
During the BIO International Convention, Pfizer intends to reach out to biotech firms fitting with the company's strategy and eventually apply its resources prudently to turn relevant ideas into valuable and innovative healthcare solutions. Its stated strategy is that one third of its revenues will come from externally sourced compounds. Pfizer is already a major player in biotherapeutics and plans to greatly increase the output of candidates in this area.

"For Pfizer, one of the most important questions is: what are the opportunities to accelerate access to newly derived therapies from biotechnology, " says Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice President and Medical Director, Pfizer Canada. "This is vital because every effort and every gain we make to bring these drugs to patients faster is a clear win for all of us." Pfizer recently announced the pharmaceutical industry's first "incubator" R&D facility to be located in La Jolla. The Pfizer Incubator (TPI) will support early-stage research being conducted by academics and small biotech startups to collaborate on innovation and cutting-edge ideas.

Pfizer is looking for the best science to maximize the potential of its research and development activities: new drug development science and technologies, including targets and leads for product discovery, screening technologies, early development technologies, enabling clinical technologies, diagnostics, formulations and chemistry.

Worldwide, Pfizer has links with more than 250 partners in academia and industry to strengthen its position on the cutting edge of science and biotechnology. Most recent collaborations with Canadian biotech firms include Montreal-based genetic research firm, Genizon BioSciences (collaboration agreement for diagnostic rights of this firm's programs in Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and endometriosis), and Toronto-based GeneNews (research collaboration for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the treatment and diagnosis of osteoarthritis). In 2006, Pfizer held regional BioPartnering conferences across Canada to solidify its lead as partner of choice and generate new collaborative opportunities between biotechnology firms, and Pfizer globally.

About Pfizer
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc, the world's leading pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer Inc invests more than US$7 billion annually in R&D to discover and develop innovative life-saving and life-enhancing medicines in a wide range of Therapeutic Areas, including Inflammation, Cardiovascular (metabolic and endocrine), Infectious Diseases, Neuroscience, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Genitourinary, Allergy and Respiratory. Pfizer Canada is one of the top investors in Canadian R&D, investing more than $190 million in 2005 alone. The Canadian headquarters of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals is in Kirkland, Quebec. For more information, visit www.pfizer.ca.

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