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		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/pfizer-rd-site-closure-worrying.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="Pfizer's decision to close its leading UK research centre is 'hugely worrying' for Britain, John Denham has warned" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/min-pfizer-rd-site-closure-worrying.jpg" alt="Pfizer's decision to close its leading UK research centre is 'hugely worrying' for Britain, John Denham has warned"/></a></p>
<p>Drugs giant Pfizer&#8217;s decision to close its leading UK research centre is &#8220;hugely worrying&#8221; for Britain, shadow business secretary John Denham has warned.</p>
<p>The US group said it is shutting its renowned research and development (R&#038;D) facility at Sandwich, Kent, and will make the majority of the site&#8217;s 2,400 staff redundant over the next 18 months to two years.</p>
<p>Medical experts said the move is &#8220;devastating&#8221; for British science, coming as the latest in a series of UK R&#038;D job cuts as the industry moves to slash costs.</p>
<p>The Royal Society of Chemistry said the science sector is witnessing the &#8220;haemorrhaging of the lifeblood of the British pharmaceuticals industry&#8221;.</p>
<p>Trade union Unite reacted with dismay at Pfizer&#8217;s decision, which it said will see the withdrawal of Sandwich&#8217;s biggest employer.</p>
<p>Pfizer has a history at Sandwich dating back more than 50 years and the Kent R&#038;D site lays claim to some of the world&#8217;s biggest medical discoveries, including blockbuster drug Viagra.</p>
<p>Mr Denham told BBC Radio 4&#8217;s Today programme: &#8220;It&#8217;s a hugely worrying decision. This is one of those industries where we should aim to be world-beating in the years to come. It looks as though the Government haven&#8217;t been involved as players. This is a warning about how vulnerable we are.&#8221;</p>
<p>Business Secretary Vince Cable has said Pfizer&#8217;s decision was &#8220;extremely disappointing&#8221; and confirmed he was forming a taskforce to mitigate the impact on local jobs.</p>
<p>He is also due to meet Pfizer and other drugs companies to look at continuing R&#038;D activities at the Sandwich site.</p>
<p>Science minister David Willetts told Today: &#8220;Pfizer are going to work with us to see if we can find alternative uses for this site. Pfizer have made it clear it&#8217;s not because of concerns about the strength of British science.&#8221;</p>
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