Kalexsyn, Inc: your science deserves the best scientists

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Some laid-off workers are winners in Pfizer announcement

By Mark Albert News 3 Reporter
September 18, 2003 - 9:33AM

Bob Gadwood and David Zimmermannn started talking about forming their own company as soon as Pfizer Inc. said it KALAMAZOO (NEWS 3) - David Zimmermann believes his newborn company is what Pfizer Inc. needs in order to remain the world's largest and most successful pharmaceutical company. His start-up business, Kalexsyn, Inc., employs 20 scientists - 19 of whom were fired by Pfizer after its acquisition of Pharmacia in April. On Wednesday, Pfizer announced that it is giving the fledgling venture not only its blessing, but financial backing in the form of a letter of intent for a contact for services. "Some of, at least, the brightest moments in my life have come out of some of the darkest periods in my life," Zimmermann said, referring to his termination at Pfizer after 23 years. "I really look at this as no different." So far, Pfizer has chosen to support only three of the 50 proposals submitted worldwide for help on start-up ventures; all three are located in Kalamazoo County. "Candidly, (Pfizer) could have got those services anywhere in the world," Barry Broome, CEO of West Michigan economic development organization Southwest Michigan First, told News 3. "The fact that they chose those two companies to partner with is a message to me that Kalamazoo is important." In an interview with News 3 from local Pfizer headquarters at Building 88 in Portage, site executive Phillip C. Carra predicted that facilities in Kalamazoo County would become "critical" to the company's future. "There will be no compound that Pfizer eventually takes to the market that isn't going to be touched in some way by the local (research and development) operations here," Carra said. The other two start-ups endorsed by Pfizer are Jasper Clinical Research and Development and Ceetox. Kalexsyn co-founder David Zimmermann thinks Pfizer's reliance on laid-off talent has already begun. "I'm what they need today," Zimmermann said while standing in what may become a 4,000 sq. ft. chemistry lab. Referring to Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell, Zimmermann laughed, "I can see myself sending Hank McKinnell a 'Thank You' note."