Login
US subsidiary advised on purchase of Aus-based Pfizer manufacturing facility
National law firm Thomson Geer has advised a subsidiary on the purchase of Pfizer’s biologics manufacturing facility in Adelaide.
Emma Musgrave
Firm: Thomson Geer (Bridgewest Group, Bridgewest Australia Real Estate Pty Ltd); undisclosed (Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd).
Value: Confidential.
Area: Corporate.
Key players: The Thomson Geer team was led by corporate special counsel Delene Blumberg supported by property partner Chris Kelly, employment partner Jonathon Corlett, environmental partner Craig Tidemann and tax partner George Hodson.
Deal significance: As per a statement provided by Thomson Geer, the Adelaide facility has the manufacturing capability, systems and staff expertise to execute regulatory grade manufacturing and testing of microbial-based products, including proteins, vaccines, and plasmids from development through to commercialisation.
“Upon expiration of the current leaseback arrangement with Hospira in September 2021, international biotechnology company BioCina, part of the Bridgewest Group, will assume full operational responsibility for the facility, retaining a significant proportion of the ex-Pfizer employees,” the firm said.
“Through a joint venture arrangement with the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, BioCina plans to produce mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna in Pfizer’s former Adelaide facility.
“This arrangement was framed around the successful purchase of the Pfizer facility and could potentially provide Australia with COVID vaccine self-reliance. By having the capability to mass produce vaccines and to be equipped to repurpose vaccines in the event of future coronavirus outbreaks, Australia would be able to avoid the problems associated with solely relying on overseas vaccine supply.”
Commenting further, Thomson Geer special counsel Ms Blumberg said: “It was a pleasure advising the Bridgewest Group (including BioCina) on this transaction. This acquisition of the former Pfizer facility shows great promise for the future of Australia becoming self-reliant with its COVID vaccine programme and being capable of producing sovereign vaccines”.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
Email Emma on:
