Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced changes to its executive leadership team to further advance its aspirations to discover and develop new medicines and vaccines, with an emphasis on oncology.
Effective today, Chris Boshoff, M.D., PhD, will join Pfizer's Executive Leadership Team as Chief Oncology Research and Development Officer and Executive Vice President reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla. Under his leadership, Pfizer will continue to invest in its fight against cancer and Dr. Boshoff will be the single point of accountability for the entire oncology pipeline - from discovery to early and late-phase clinical development.
"We are delighted to welcome Chris Boshoff to our executive leadership team as he works to accelerate the delivery of the next generation of cancer breakthroughs to patients around the world," said Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Inc. "About 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime in the United States, which means just about every family will be impacted by this dreaded disease. Chris is an exceptional physician-scientist with the vision and expertise to unleash the scale and strength of Pfizer's ambition in cancer research."
Previously, Dr. Boshoff oversaw clinical research and product development activities for Pfizer's Oncology portfolio, including 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars in more than 30 indications, as well as Pfizer's industry-leading Rare Disease portfolio of innovative medicines spanning four therapeutic areas. Before assuming leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Boshoff served as Director of the University College London (UCL) Cancer Institute. Dr. Boshoff earned his medical degree from University of Pretoria in South Africa, a PhD from the Institute of Cancer Research in London and trained as a medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden and Royal Free Hospitals in London. In addition to his expanded role, Dr Boshoff is leading the integration planning for Seagen's medicines and team.
Mikael Dolsten, M.D., PhD, currently Chief Scientific Officer & President, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, will now expand his role to lead all discovery, early- and late-stage clinical development, for all non-oncology therapeutic areas as Chief Scientific Officer, President, Pfizer Research & Development. In addition to his current leadership of discovery and early-phase clinical development, he will lead an end-to-end model across all of Pfizer’s other therapeutic areas. These therapeutic areas include Vaccines, Inflammation and Immunology, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases as well as non-malignant hematology and rare neuromuscular diseases.
As a result of these moves, William Pao, Chief Development Officer, and Executive Vice President will be leaving Pfizer in the month ahead to pursue new opportunities outside the company. A highly capable and results-oriented leader, William always displayed high integrity and rigorous scientific standards in his work and made significant contributions to the Global Product Development (GPD) organization by bringing strong, data-driven decision-making that always put patients at the center.
In March, Pfizer announced its proposed acquisition of Seagen and, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals, the intention is to bring together both organizations to create a leading company in the battle against cancer. Pfizer believes the changes announced today will benefit the company in its current stand-alone structure, and also aligns with Pfizer's vision for the potentially combined organizations. Pfizer strongly believes the transaction is pro-patient, pro-competitive, and pro-innovation in the battle to defeat cancer. The two companies continue to operate independently until the time of close which is expected in late 2023 or early 2024.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.