Pfizer Inc. plans to hire more than 450 additional employees by 2009 plus invest $170 million in its Vigo County manufacturing facility for the worldwide production of its new inhaled-insulin drug Exubera, the company announced Wednesday.
“This is the most complex undertaking, from a technical point of view in product development, that we have ever undertaken,” said Nat Ricciardi, president of Pfizer Global Manufacturing, at the company’s facility south of Terre Haute.
“It is a signal of the type of trust and confidence that we have in the citizens of Terre Haute and Indiana to tackle this breakthrough technology. It is a vote of confidence of our people here and citizens of this state,” Ricciardi said.
Pfizer began construction of its manufacturing plant for Exubera in 1999 and already has invested $160 million.
Pfizer has built a 120,000-square-foot production, warehouse and office area and plans to add 60,000 square feet, costing between $65 million and $103 million.
The new plant will help attract and retain college graduates in the county, such as engineers from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, said Frank Foley, Pfizer’s site leader in Terre Haute.
“The typical operator-type rates, which is the majority of the positions, range from $18 [per hour] to $25 in terms of different levels of skilled technicians. Then [the salary of] a quality engineer or a scientific job is all over the map, but would be very competitive here,” Foley said.
The drug, now being warehoused in the Vigo County facility, is expected to be released to physicians and clinics worldwide this summer.
Economic incentives to Pfizer include up to $450,000 in training grants and up to $8.5 million in tax credits based on anticipated employment and capital investment from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Vigo County in November approved 10-year tax abatements on real property and personal property investments. The abatements are up to $72.1 million in real property improvements and up to more than $183 million in new equipment and machinery.
Pfizer’s 2,000-acre site currently has about 350 employees. Pfizer has been in Vigo County since 1948. The primary pharmaceutical products manufactured are the antibiotics Unasyn, Cefobid and now, Exubera.
Exubera is a rapid-acting, dry powder human insulin that is inhaled through the mouth into the lungs before eating, using a handheld inhaler. The inhaler weighs 4 ounces and when closed, is about the size of an eyeglass case.
It is the first inhalable form of insulin for controlling Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults. Pfizer received European Union approval for the drug Jan. 26 and U.S. FDA approval Jan. 27.
Type 1, which affects 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes, requires a person to take insulin to survive. Type 2 diabetes is when a person’s body does not make or use insulin well enough to manage blood sugar levels and requires a supplement of insulin.
Diabetes is an epidemic disease that affects more than 358,000 people in Indiana, nearly 21 million in the United States and as many as 200 million worldwide, said Jeffrey Kindler, vice chairman of Pfizer.
“The economic cost of diabetes in our nation nearly equals the economic output of Indiana,” Kindler said. “This is a medical breakthrough, the first new way to deliver insulin in 80 years. Among our many hopes for this medicine is the hope that Exubera will encourage people who are reluctant to seek treatment for diabetes to come forward and take better care of their health.”
“The hope that is Exubera starts right here … in Terre Haute,” Kindler said.
Insulin crystals are brought from Germany by plane and then transported by truck in stainless steel containers. In a rare viewing of its sanitized facility, the company had one production line operating to show its capabilities.
Six high-speed robotic arms called “Schubert SMB loaders” precisely package blister packs that hold the spray insulin powder. Each inhaler can provide six does of insulin. The packages on this line each contained 3 milligrams of insulin powder.
Ricciardi said Terre Haute’s airport could play a role in the company’s future as it considers transportation links to its plant. “To the extent that one can maximize the transportation hubs that exist, the better off we will be. Reducing cycle time in the processing is very important, so if there were to be a local airport that we can fly the product in, it would be very advantageous to us,” he said.
Airport Director Dennis Dunbar said the airport has been approved as an alternative landing site for a carrier that supplies Pfizer. “We would hope that as this product continues to develop, we would be utilized to help future growth,” Dunbar said.
Exubera could be a major competitor to Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co., which produces the fast-acting insulin drug called Humalog. That drug generated $1.2 billion in sales last year. Analysts differ on how sales of Exubera will grow, but say sales could reach at least $1.3 billion by 2008.
The drug is not recommended for those with lung disease. Concern over harm to lungs delayed the FDA approval for nearly two years. Long-term studies showed the powder impaired lung function about 1 percent a year, but effects are reversible when the drug is no longer used.
Exubera was studied in more than 2,500 adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes for an average duration of 20 months. More patients reported overall preference for Exubera than the injected form, said Rick Chambers, spokesman for Pfizer.
“After you turn age 25, you naturally lose about 1 percent of your lung capacity annually as you age,” Chambers said. “This is a one-time decrease that reverses if the therapy is stopped.”
Ricciardi said Pfizer believes those in the medical community and patients will prefer a non-injection way to administer insulin to that of an injection. “That is part of the forecasting challenges that we have,” he said.
Gov. Mitch Daniels, who toured the facility, said the “eyes of the world are on Terre Haute … It is an event of worldwide significance.”
“These are the kind of jobs we seek in Indiana. It is not good enough in a state in which the average net income has drifted down to 90 cents that the average Hoosier earns for every $1 the average American earns. There has to be jobs that diversify our economy,” the governor said.
“This proves that Indiana is going to be a life science leader as well as a manufacturing and agriculture and agri-business leader,” Daniels said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Pfizer investing heavily in Valley as it prepares to release new inhaled-insulin drug Exubera
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
A fatal semitrailer accident and resulting material spill earlier this morning have closed eastbound Interstate 70 at the 58-mile marker in Hendricks County, according to Indiana State Police.
-
Valentine's Day a rosy business
Red roses, mixed bouquets and even a bonsai tree or two are being delivered today on perhaps the nation’s sweetest holiday.
-
Downtown gets Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’
Frontier Communications has reached an agreement with city officials to create a Wi-Fi “hotspot” covering much of downtown Terre Haute.
-
Board OKs $5.4M in work at schools
The Vigo County School Board has approved borrowing $5.4 million for an expansion of DeVaney Elementary School and energy-related projects at 15 other schools.
-
Stella’s Cafe downtown plans to close March 2
Not long after changing its name from Bit of Britain Tea Room to Stella’s Cafe, a downtown restaurant has announced plans to close its doors.
-
Bill would ease college credit transfers
Indiana college students worried about whether their credit hours will transfer to another university may get some relief if a proposed higher-education bill passes.
-
Court alters trial date for man accused in 1979 death case
A trial date has changed for a Riley man accused of a 1979 homicide.
-
Shift to online raises school cost concerns
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.
-
Cops nab man after squad car struck
A West Terre Haute man was arrested Monday after a police pursuit that began after his vehicle collided with a Terre Haute police car.
-
Victim unhurt when robbed by gunman
Terre Haute police were searching late Monday night for a suspect accused of using a gun to rob another person at about 7 p.m.
-
Man face gun charge after woman shot in leg
A Terre Haute man faces a misdemeanor firearms charge following an accidental shooting during the weekend.
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
Swimmer makes surprise marriage proposal in Mo.
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Bayne ready to defend 500
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
