WSU enlists Pfizer to explore opportunities for continued collaboration

In the wake of the surprise announcement by Pfizer Inc. this week that it plans to close R&D facilities in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, Wayne State University has committed resources to finding job opportunities for displaced Pfizer employees in Michigan.

In a letter to Dr. David Canter, senior vice president of research and development for Pfizer, Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid announced that he would appoint a team to assist Pfizer in coping with the loss of some 2,400 life sciences jobs. Reid requested a meeting between Pfizer officials and Randal Charlton, the president’s special assistant for economic affairs, whom he appointed to lead the initiative.

“Pfizer is currently the single largest supporter of life sciences research in Michigan,” Reid said. “As an internationally renowned scientific leader, Wayne State University is eager to explore ways to continue and expand upon our existing relationship in terms of landmark research programs and the brilliant people who spearhead them.”

Charlton is the founder and retiring CEO of the biotech startup success story Asterand plc and is chairman of MichBio, the state’s life sciences trade association.

“Our outlook for jobs in the life sciences industry is extremely optimistic,” he said. “Startup biomedical technology companies are thriving at Wayne State’s TechTown research and development park, and the university continues to excel in engineering and biomedical research.”
In support of Wayne State’s commitment to assisting Pfizer employees, the university is considering the launch of a dedicated Web site, job hotline and counseling services by academic and human resources advisors.

The closing of Pfizer facilities in Michigan is part of the pharmaceutical leader’s strategy to cut costs and retain its competitive edge. The company announced that it plans to trim about 10,000 employees from its global workforce by the end of next year.

“The students, faculty and staff of Wayne State University are all part of the Pfizer family in more ways than we sometimes appreciate,” Reid wrote in the letter. He pointed out that many faculty members have associates or family members who work at the company’s Ann Arbor facility and that the university has benefited on many levels from its association with Pfizer.

He also noted that Wayne State and Pfizer have worked together to improve human health, and that WSU students have benefited from the relationship through summer internships at Pfizer’s Ann Arbor facilities, where many students have sought employment following graduation.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.