The Pfizer site at Sandwich will soon become the home to a branch of a leading research services company, Peakdale Molecular Limited.

Peakdale, whose headquarters are in Derbyshire, will supply custom synthetic chemistry services to the pharmaceutical giant’s laboratories from the Sandwich site.

This will involve a team of more than 50 synthetic chemists moving to the Pfizer headquarters.

Dr Tony Wood, vice-president, Pfizer World-Wide Medicinal Chemistry said: "This collaboration will allow Pfizer to continue to develop a strong community of experienced synthetic chemists within its facilities and enhance the overall culture of synthetic chemistry at the Sandwich site."

He explained that synthetic energy sits at the centre of drug discovery.

Head of research and development David Roblin added: "The positioning of Peakdale chemists close to the core of our research operations gives a unique opportunity in this outsourced space.

"In addition, this move begins to enhance the utilisation of the real estate assets we have at Sandwich. I hope this is just the first example we will see in this vein."