Editing Sandwich, Kent (section)

==Economy==

The local economy has benefited from significant investment by [[Pfizer UK]], the British subsidiary of the multinational [[pharmaceuticals]] company [[Pfizer]], which built a research and development centre near Sandwich, employing over 3,000 people. Laboratory experiments at the site aroused negative comment by animal rights activists. On 18 June 2007 Pfizer announced it would move the Sandwich Animal Health Research (VMRD) division to [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]].<ref>[http://www.wwmt.com/news/kalamazoo_36503___article.html/research_pfizer.html Pfizer Reorganization Could Bring Jobs To Kalamazoo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021192405/http://www.wwmt.com/news/kalamazoo_36503___article.html/research_pfizer.html |date=21 October 2013 }}, WWMT.com, 18 June 2007</ref> Several important drugs including [[Viagra]], Pfizer's treatment for [[erectile dysfunction]], [[Maraviroc]], a drug used for treatment of [[HIV]] and the horse wormer Strongid P were developed here. On 1 February 2011 Pfizer announced that the entire research and development facility at Sandwich would be closed within 18–24 months, with a loss of 2,400 jobs,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12335801 | work=BBC News | title=Pfizer to close UK research site | date=1 February 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=31 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031193513/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12335801 | url-status=live }}</ref>  though it later announced up to 650 jobs would stay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15584902|work=BBC News|title=Pfizer site in Sandwich set to retain 650 jobs|date=4 November 2011|access-date=20 December 2012|archive-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120160156/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15584902|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[University of Kent]] was considering use of the campus style site.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-12353162 | work=BBC News | title=University of Kent to consider Pfizer proposal | date=3 February 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=11 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211010731/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-12353162 | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[UK Government]] intervened to establish an 'Enterprise Zone' on the site,<ref>{{citation | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-enterprise-zones-announced | title=New enterprise zones | work=UK Government | date=17 August 2011 | access-date=7 December 2016 | archive-date=20 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220104804/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-enterprise-zones-announced | url-status=live }}</ref> which is now run as a business park called '''Discovery Park Enterprise Zone'''.