Pfizer's Batch Process Design Model

Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical manufacturer heavily invested in drug discovery (Pfizer, 2013a). Accordingly, the supply chain needs of Pfizer are atypical of most manufacturers because a significant portion of its production activities must be tailored to meet the needs of researchers investigating the efficacy of drugs in clinical trials. The needs of the research and development arm of Pfizer therefore dominate the process development structure of the company.

Pfizer is in the business of supplying drugs for human and animal consumption; however, before a drug candidate can be brought to market it must win regulatory approval through clinical trials (Pfizer, 2013b). Drugs must therefore be manufactured initially in small batches and then scaled up as it progresses through the three phases of clinical trials. These drugs can represent small molecules manufactured from chemicals, biological derived from plants or animals, or vaccines. Many of these...
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