A Chinese pharmaceutical company is set to save up to 100 jobs after acquiring part of drug giant Pfizer’s operation in Kent.

Pfizer had announced in November 2023 it was to cut some 500 jobs from its operation at the Discovery Park complex in Sandwich.

The cost-cutting measure would have seen its experimental research division at the park close. Pfizer once operated the entire site - it was there Viagra was developed - before selling off much of it in 2011.

But now China’s Asymchem Laboratories - based in the city of Tianjin - has confirmed it will operate the former Pfizer small molecule API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) pilot plant and part of its development laboratories. It will be the firm’s first base in Europe.

It says it expects the operation will employ 100 staff by the end of the year “including many staff previously employed by Pfizer”.

It should be up and running next month.

Dr Hao Hong, chairman and CEO of the Asymchem Group, said: “We are excited to become a part of the European pharma manufacturing community.

“Meeting the needs of our clients in bringing manufacturing into the Western market will continue to be part of our long-term strategy to meet overall global business demands.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park, added: “The organisation has selected Discovery Park as their European base and home to their first manufacturing facility in Europe, bringing new jobs and safeguarding scientific talent.”

Founded in 1997, Asymchem employs more than 9,300 personnel worldwide, with research and development (R&D) and manufacturing operations in China and the US.