Lucan by Dublin Gazette

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 1 December 2016

ECONOMY | DRUG GIANT SCRAPS €400M GRANGE CASTLE EXPANSION

Pfizer cancellation a hard pill to swallow  IAN BEGLEY

ibegley@dublingazette.com

at Grange Castle will not go ahead. In a statement, Pfizer said it had discovered unexpected side effects with the drug and that it was becoming less effective over time.

Rival It also noted two rival drugs had been struggling to meet sales targets and, as a result, the company decided to dis-

continue development of the drug. P f i z e r s p o ke s p e rson Dr James Rusnak said: “As a company, we u n d e r s t a n d t h a t developing new and important medicines for patients is a critical, but difficult undertaking. “A c c o r d i n g l y , w e continually evaluate our development programmes as data emerge to support prudent decisions that provide value both to the patients we serve and our shareholders. “We are disappointed by this outcome, but remain committed to investing in innovation, concentrating our

Pfizer scrapped the planned expansion at Grange Castle following setbacks with its Bococizumab trials

pipeline on areas where we can bring transformational therapies to address unmet needs, including in patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. “We thank the investigators, their patients, and support staff who have participated in this important research programme,” he said. Pfizer had expected Bococizumab to deliver sales of almost $1 billion a year. The pharmaceutical

company had nearly 30,000 people enrolled in late-stage trials of the drug at the time it announced it would a b a n d o n t h e d r u g ’s development. Expansion Ptizer had sought permission in July for the 34,500sq m expansion on the 36-acre site “contingent upon the continued successful clinical development of investigational compounds in Pfizer’s mid- and latestage pipeline”.

 AISLING KENNEDY A WOR K M A N w h o conned a pensioner out of more than €3,500 for unnecessary roof repairs was described by a judge as “despicable”. Charles O’Brien (37), of Rosebank Place, Clondalkin, brought rotten timbers to the elderly victim’s house and tricked him into believing they had come from his roof. O’Brien admitted taking three payments from him and pleaded guilty to three counts of deception. Judge David McHugh ordered O’Brien to pay compensation and adjourned sentencing at Blanchardstown District Court. According to the charges, he induced the victim dishonestly to make two payments of €1,500 and one of €570 on dates between March 11 and 16 this year at Cappaghmore Estate in Clondalkin. The court heard the DPP was consenting to the case being dealt with at a district court level only on a plea of guilty. Defence solicitor Simon Fleming told the court O’Brien was pleading guilty subject to the judge accepting jurisdiction. Garda Sgt Maria Callaghan said the accused

and another man went to the victim’s home told him that he believed the roof needed repair. Rotten timbers were brought in by O’Brien and shown to the victim, who was told that they were from his roof. The repairs were carried out and the victim paid €3,570. Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction after hearing the outline of the facts of the case. A State solicitor said the accused had previous motoring convictions. Judge McHugh said he would adjourn the case to give O’Brien time to pay compensation. “I wish to add that I consider the crime to be despicable,” he said. The judge told Mr Fleming he would hear mitigation on the next court date. Mr Fleming said the accused was “not here to mess around” and would need four months to get the compensation. “As a matter of fairness to you and your client, everything is on the table,” the judge added. He adjourned the case to a date in March. The charges against O’Brien were under Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act. He was remanded on continuing bail.

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PHARMACEUTICAL giant Pfizer has scrapped its planned €400m expansion of its Grange Castle plant in Dublin, which would have seen 350 permanently employed staff, along with the creation of 1,250 construction jobs. The company, which manufactures medicines in Ireland for global distribution, sought planning permission earlier this year for a major extension to the plant. However, following a decision to discontinue t h e d e ve l o p m e n t o f Bococizumab – a drug that aims to reduce cholesterol – the expansion

Rotten timbers at the heart of conman’s scam

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