Erik Nordkamp, Managing Director of Pfizer UK, outlined a new memorandum of understanding with the University during his keynote address at BioWales 2017, Wales’ flagship event for the life science sector.

The partnership will see Pfizer collaborate with Swansea University and other relevant partners on initiatives aimed at improving health across Wales.

Plans also include the establishment of a Pfizer Innovation Hub at the University, located within the School of Management at the £450m science and innovation Bay Campus, and working closely with the Medical School’s Institute of Life Science (ILS) Enterprise and Innovation team at the Singleton Park Campus.

Speaking at BioWales in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Erik Nordkamp, Managing Director, Pfizer UK, said: “We’re pleased to announce our intention to collaborate with Swansea University.  Partnership working between the pharmaceutical industry, academia and the NHS is essential for tackling today’s demands on the health system.   Through sharing our different skills and expertise we really can make a difference to improving health outcomes for patients, and developing new ways of supporting the provision of healthcare.”

Professor Richard B Davies, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, said: “This exciting new collaboration with Pfizer, one of the world’s largest research-based biopharmaceutical companies, is part of an intensified mission of mobilising the University’s resources in support of the NHS Wales, working closely with Health Boards and the Welsh Government.

“Swansea University is very well placed to deliver collaborative solutions and attract inward investment by drawing on its strong track record of teaching research and innovation. With an excellent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) ranking we have achieved our ambition to be a top 30 research University, and we are recognised by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 league table as the top university in Wales, and the winner of the inaugural Welsh University of the Year title.

“Swansea University is currently leading, or heavily involved in, many health care related projects and initiatives.  These include The Regional Collaboration for Health (ARCH).  This new collaboration with Pfizer demonstrates how the University can also bring in global partners to enhance the support we can give to the NHS in Wales.”

Professor Marc Clement, Dean of Swansea University’s School of Management and Vice-President, with a specific role of developing major strategic projects, added: “We are delighted to announce and begin this exciting journey with Pfizer, the latest prestigious international partner with a desire to collaborate with us, following the opening of global technology leader Fujitsu’s new Education Innovation Hub in October 2016. 

“Attracting such established, innovative international companies to partner with us in this way is a sign of confidence in the University and the School of Management’s ambition and plans for future growth and expansion.

“This new collaboration also complements the University and the School of Management’s ongoing strategy to evolve, support, and enhance links between health professionals, policy makers, and third sector organisations. We look forward to the positive outcomes we are confident this new partnership will bring.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Vaughan Gething, said: “We welcome this partnership, which builds on the University’s excellent facilities and close links with healthcare organisations.   This collaboration has great potential to bring real benefits to patients in Wales.”