Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as ‘the silent pandemic’ and is considered by the World Health Organization to be a top 10 area of public health concern, Pfizer said. AMR makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death, with annual deaths from AMR predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050.

With the installation of lyophilizers, the company reached an important upgrade milestone in the site’s upgrade capabilities, which will also include productivity enhancements, such as the use of robotics. The site has also been selected for a trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology designed to support key site processes.

According to Pfizer, the investment will create 500 manufacturing jobs at the Melbourne site.

The upgrades are on track to complete installation work and be operational by mid-2025, with commercial manufacture commencing in 2026, the company said.