[Bayer] Board of Management’s Plischke and Yale’s VP unveil commemorative plaque.
West Haven Site Dedication Honors Bayer Employees' Contributions Spanning 40 Years
2008-08-06
On July 31, Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, Member of the Board of Management Bayer AG and past President of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals division, joined Bayer employees and dignitaries from Yale, Orange and West Haven on the Oyster River Bridge at Bayer’s former West Haven campus for a special dedication ceremony honoring Bayer employee contributions to science, patients, and the community.
After an introduction by Sandy Oliver, VP, Public Policy and State Government Affairs, Dr, Plischke opened his remarks by welcoming employees and special guests including Bruce Alexander, Yale’s VP for New Haven State Affairs and Campus Development, Reinhard Franzen, President and CEO, BHCP, Paolo Pucci, CEO, ArQule Inc. and former President, BHC Pharma, Mayor John Picard, City of West Haven, and First Selectman, James Zeoli, Town of Orange.
“It is a great pleasure to be here today with all of you to celebrate the accomplishments of the many talented men and women from all over the globe who have worked at this wonderful campus,” said Plischke. “I had the privilege of working here several years and I have many fond memories of employees and of the local surrounding communities.
“Historically, the West Haven campus opened over 40 years ago as Dome Laboratories, a Division of Miles laboratory, with 250 employees. Throughout our 40-year history on this site, employees made many contributions to expanding our knowledge of science and developing medicines to improve the health of people worldwide.”
Plischke listed a few significant facts about the site:
- Alka Seltzer was manufactured here
- Cipro was manufactured and supplied to aid the US government during the anthrax outbreak
- Nexavar ®, the first oral treatment for kidney cancer, was discovered in research laboratories here.
“These advances couldn’t have been made without the support of the vast infrastructure of talented individuals working collaboratively in the areas of research, manufacturing, distribution, product development, regulatory, legal, finance and others who dedicated themselves to their work to improve the lives of patients.
“I’m confident that this legacy of dedication and commitment will continue as we turn to a new chapter in the history of this site under the leadership of Yale--its new owners.”
Speaking on behalf of Yale, Bruce Alexander paid tribute to the many talented employees who have worked on campus.
“I’ve been a big admirer of Dr. Plischke and the Company,” said Alexander. “Today, I’d like to celebrate and acknowledge the many traditions Bayer brought to this campus including research to cure disease and improve the quality of life around the world and a legacy of community partnerships.”
“I’m proud that Yale will continue the great traditions Bayer began.”
Plischke and Alexander together unveiled a bridge plaque that reads:
From 1965-2007, this was the Bayer HealthCare
(formerly Miles Laboratories) campus.
During that time Bayer HealthCare employees
made important contributions to science
and to the health of individuals worldwide.
Orange’s First Selectman James Zeoli commented that it is “fitting that this bridge has brought us all together—symbolizing the ties between West Haven, Orange, Bayer and Yale.”
“We’re excited and honored that Yale chose this site and plans to carry on its traditions,” he said.
West Haven Mayor John Picard added his thanks to Yale for deciding to move to the site. He also acknowledged the “incredible relationship and friendship built with Bayer over the years.”
“You can tell a lot about the character of a company by what it does when no one is looking,” he said. “The good Bayer has done for the community speaks volumes.”
Chemical & Engineering News has followed up on their 
