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Pfizer Head of Preclinical Outsourcing VP Richard Connell On “Pausing” Anti-Infectives Research In China, And Taking A Long View On Asian Partnerships: An Interview With PharmAsia News (Part 1 of 2)

 
• By Tamra Sami and Vikas Dandekar

On the way back to his old job in the U.S., after a stint in Shanghai as head of research Asia, Richard Connell says Pfizer is “pausing” plans for an anti-infectives research unit in China after hitting a few speed bumps.

HYDERABAD, India – En route back home to Groton, Connecticut from Shanghai, Pfizer Inc. Head of Preclinical Outsourcing VP Richard Connell sat down with PharmAsia News last month along the sidelines of the BIO Asia conference in Hyderabad, India, to talk about Pfizer’s research efforts in Asia. Connell had stepped in to take over as Pfizer’s head of research, Asia, following the departure of Steve Yang, a leading light in the China pharma world, who jumped to AstraZeneca PLC to rejoin his old boss Martin Mackay, Pfizer’s former R&D chief and current head of R&D at AZ (Also see "Pfizer Shake Up Continues With Key Exits From Emerging Markets" - Scrip, 10 December, 2010.)

In this interview, Connell shares his experiences in Shanghai and India, where Pfizer has partnered with local companies on preclinical...

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