Pfizer

Corporate brand

An American multinational biopharmaceutical company developing medicines and vaccines across oncology, immunology, cardiology, infectious disease, rare disease and other therapeutic areas.

Last updated November 3, 2026

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Overview

Pfizer is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1849 by German immigrants Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart. It began as a chemical business producing compounds such as santonin, an antiparasitic, and expanded rapidly after developing large-scale citric-acid production in the late nineteenth century. The company’s expertise in fermentation later supported industrial penicillin production during the Second World War and helped establish the technical foundation for its transformation into a research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer’s modern business is centered on prescription medicines and vaccines. Its principal areas include oncology, vaccines, inflammation and immunology, internal medicine, rare diseases, cardiovascular conditions, infectious diseases, endocrinology and neurology. Major products and brands have included Eliquis, marketed with Bristol Myers Squibb; the Prevnar pneumococcal vaccine franchise; Vyndaqel; Ibrance; Xeljanz; Lyrica; Diflucan; Zoloft; Lipitor; Comirnaty, developed with BioNTech; and Paxlovid. The portfolio combines internally discovered medicines, products obtained through licensing and acquisitions, and medicines developed with commercial partners. Pfizer grew substantially through acquisitions. Warner-Lambert brought control of Lipitor, Pharmacia added products and research programs including Celebrex and Sugen-derived oncology assets, and Wyeth strengthened vaccines and biologic medicines, particularly through Prevnar and related products. The company also acquired King Pharmaceuticals, Medivation, Array BioPharma and Seagen, among others. In 2019, Pfizer separated its established-brands business, Upjohn, into Viatris and combined its consumer-health operations with GlaxoSmithKline’s consumer-health business, later known as Haleon. These transactions reflected a strategy of concentrating Pfizer on innovative medicines and vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented visibility and commercial importance to Pfizer. In partnership with BioNTech, the company developed Comirnaty, one of the first widely authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer subsequently developed Paxlovid, an oral antiviral combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Both products became central to the global pandemic response and generated exceptional sales during the peak of the pandemic, although demand later declined as vaccination and treatment patterns normalized. Pfizer is headquartered in Manhattan and operates internationally through research, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial organizations. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under PFE. Its present positioning is that of a large innovation-led biopharmaceutical company using research platforms, external collaborations and targeted acquisitions to build a pipeline in high-value therapeutic categories. The company remains active, but its scale, pricing practices, product safety, clinical-trial decisions and pandemic-era communications have also made it a frequent subject of regulatory, legal and political scrutiny.

History

Pfizer was established in 1849 as Charles Pfizer & Company by cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart. Its early operations in Brooklyn focused on chemical compounds, including santonin. Citric acid production became an important source of growth in the 1880s, and the company developed industrial fermentation expertise when wartime disruption forced it to seek alternatives to imported calcium citrate. During the Second World War, Pfizer applied that expertise to mass production of penicillin. After the war, falling penicillin prices encouraged Pfizer to seek new medicines. The discovery of oxytetracycline in 1950 helped shift the company from a fine-chemicals manufacturer toward research-based pharmaceuticals. Pfizer expanded internationally, established dedicated research facilities, and entered animal health. During the 1980s and 1990s it built a recognizable portfolio including Diflucan, Zithromax, Zoloft, Norvasc and Viagra. Its collaboration with Warner-Lambert on Lipitor became particularly important; Pfizer later acquired Warner-Lambert outright. The company entered a period of large-scale consolidation in the 2000s. It merged with Pharmacia in 2003 and acquired Wyeth in 2009. These transactions broadened its presence in vaccines, biologics, hospital medicines and oncology. Pfizer also acquired King Pharmaceuticals and other specialist businesses. At the same time, it discontinued unsuccessful or unsafe development programs, including torcetrapib after excess mortality emerged in a Phase III study. In the 2010s Pfizer reorganized around innovative medicines. Zoetis, its animal-health operation, was separated as a public company. Pfizer later acquired assets and companies in areas such as oncology, rare disease and specialty medicines. In 2019 it transferred Upjohn, its established-brands business, into Viatris and combined its consumer-health business with GSK’s consumer-health operations. The transactions reduced exposure to mature products and sharpened the company’s focus on innovative pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The COVID-19 period was a major turning point. Pfizer partnered with BioNTech on an mRNA vaccine that received emergency authorization in 2020 and was subsequently marketed as Comirnaty. It also developed Paxlovid, an oral antiviral authorized in 2021. The products were distributed on a global scale and produced unusually high sales during the pandemic, followed by a sharp normalization as demand changed. Pfizer subsequently emphasized oncology, vaccines, rare disease and other durable growth platforms, including through the acquisition of Seagen in 2023. Its history therefore combines scientific discovery, manufacturing scale, international commercialization, portfolio restructuring and acquisition-led expansion, alongside recurring scrutiny over medicine pricing, promotion, safety and public-health communications.

2023
Seagen acquisition completed
[10]Seagen acquisition completedpfizer.com
Pfizer completed the acquisition of Seagen to expand its oncology portfolio and antibody-drug-conjugate platform.
2021
Paxlovid authorized
[9]Paxlovid authorizedfda.gov
Paxlovid became one of the first broadly available oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 in the United States.
2020
COVID-19 vaccine authorized
[5]FDA COVID-19 vaccine authorization announcementfda.gov
The Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine received U.S. emergency authorization, marking a major milestone for mRNA vaccination.
2019
Portfolio restructuring
[8]Portfolio restructuringpfizer.com
Pfizer separated Upjohn into Viatris and combined its consumer-health operations with GSK’s consumer-health business.
2013
Zoetis separation
[7]Zoetis separationen.wikipedia.org
Pfizer separated its animal-health operation, which became the publicly traded company Zoetis.
2009
Wyeth acquisition completed
[1]Pfizeren.wikipedia.org
The acquisition strengthened Pfizer’s vaccines and biologics businesses, including Prevnar.
2003
Pharmacia merger completed
[1]Pfizeren.wikipedia.org
The transaction expanded Pfizer’s portfolio and added Pharmacia research and commercial assets.
2000
Warner-Lambert acquired
[1]Pfizeren.wikipedia.org
Pfizer completed its acquisition of Warner-Lambert, obtaining full control of Lipitor.
1998
Viagra approved
[6]Viagra approvedfda.gov
The FDA approved sildenafil under the Viagra brand for erectile dysfunction.
1950
Oxytetracycline discovery
[1]Pfizeren.wikipedia.org
The discovery of oxytetracycline helped move Pfizer toward research-based pharmaceutical development.
1849
Company founded in Brooklyn
[1]Pfizeren.wikipedia.org
Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart established Charles Pfizer & Company in Brooklyn, New York.

Products and positioning

A global research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines and vaccines, combining internal discovery with partnerships, licensing and acquisitions.

mRNA COVID-19 vaccine · 2020
Comirnaty
Comirnaty is an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech. It became one of the earliest vaccines authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been updated over time to address changing circulating variants and regulatory recommendations.
Oral antiviral · 2021
Paxlovid
Paxlovid combines nirmatrelvir with ritonavir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. It is used for certain patients at increased risk of progression to severe COVID-19, subject to applicable regulatory labeling and prescribing requirements.
Anticoagulant · 2012
Eliquis
Eliquis is the brand name for apixaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor developed and commercialized with Bristol Myers Squibb. It is used in several settings involving prevention or treatment of blood clots, including stroke prevention in eligible patients with atrial fibrillation.
Pneumococcal vaccine · 2000
Prevnar
Prevnar is Pfizer’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine franchise, originating with Wyeth. Different formulations cover different numbers of pneumococcal serotypes and are used according to age, risk factors and local immunization guidance.
Rare-disease cardiovascular medicine · 2011
Vyndaqel
Vyndaqel contains tafamidis, a transthyretin stabilizer used in forms of transthyretin amyloidosis, including cardiomyopathy and polyneuropathy indications depending on the product and jurisdiction.
Oncology medicine · 2015
Ibrance
Ibrance is palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor used primarily in combination regimens for certain hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancers.
RSV vaccine · 2023
Abrysvo
Abrysvo is a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine indicated for specified adult and maternal immunization uses, subject to the recommendations and approvals of individual markets.
Antibody-drug conjugate oncology medicine · 2019
Padcev
Padcev is enfortumab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate used in specified urothelial-cancer settings. Pfizer acquired Seagen, its developer, in 2023 and continued the product’s development and commercialization.

Controversies

2024
Oxbryta withdrawal
Pfizer voluntarily withdrew voxelotor, sold as Oxbryta, from markets and stopped related clinical studies after updated safety and benefit-risk information prompted the company and regulators to conclude that continued use was not appropriate.
Source
2023
Texas COVID-19 vaccine lawsuit
Texas authorities sued Pfizer alleging misleading statements about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. Pfizer disputed the allegations; the filing represents claims rather than a finding that the allegations were proven.
Source
2022
Pfizer sues over alleged trade-secret theft
Pfizer filed suit in the District of Connecticut against former employees Xiayang Qiu and Min Zhong and others. The complaint alleges that Qiu and Zhong stole Pfizer trade secrets and confidential information and later incorporated them into Regor; these are allegations in the complaint.
Source
2021
Pfizer plaintiffs sue Qilu over Ibrance patent
Pfizer and co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Qilu in the District of Delaware, seeking a declaration of patent infringement and an order barring further infringement. The complaint concerns the patent for Ibrance. The infringement claims are allegations made in the lawsuit and have not been established. The filing date was June 29, 2021.
Source
2021
Pfizer sues MSN Pharmaceuticals over palbociclib patent
Pfizer filed a lawsuit against MSN Pharmaceuticals, alleging that MSN's proposed generic version of palbociclib would infringe Pfizer's patent. The source characterizes the infringement as an allegation rather than a court determination. The dispute concerns MSN's proposed generic product and Pfizer's patent covering palbociclib. No court ruling on the merits is reported in the source material.
Source
2021
Pfizer recalls Chantix smoking-cessation drug
In September 2021, Pfizer announced a recall of its smoking-cessation drugs Champix, also called Chantix. According to the announcement, the recalled products contain chemicals that cause cancer. The event was reported as a product recall by the company. The source statement describes the recalled drugs as containing cancer-causing chemicals, and the recall was announced by Pfizer for its Champix (Chantix) smoking-cessation medication.
Source
2021
Pfizer expands Chantix recall to all lots
Pfizer expanded its recall of Chantix to all 156 lots of 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets. The recall was due to the potential presence of the nitrosamine impurity N-Nitroso-varenicline at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit. The FDA said that long-term ingestion may be associated with a theoretical increased cancer risk, while also noting that there was no immediate risk to patients.
Source
2021
Pfizer sues former employee over alleged file downloads
Pfizer sued former employee Chun Xiao Li, alleging that she downloaded thousands of company files, including confidential information and trade secrets, to personal devices without permission. Pfizer sought a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief.
Source
2021
Judge temporarily bars Pfizer employee from using trade secrets
In a 2021 legal development involving Pfizer, a U.S. District Judge temporarily blocked Chun Xiao Li from using the company's trade secrets. The judge also authorized Pfizer's lawyers to review accounts and devices where the trade secrets might have been stored. The order was temporary in nature, and the source material does not specify further outcomes, additional parties, or the substance of the trade secrets at issue. The event is recorded here solely on the basis of the available summary and source reference.
Source
2021
Pfizer recalls selected Chantix lots over possible impurity risk
Pfizer recalled a dozen US lots of Chantix after they were found to potentially contain N-nitroso-varenicline above the company's acceptable daily intake limit. The article says prolonged ingestion of high quantities could potentially lead to cancer; Pfizer stated there was no immediate risk to patients and advised users to discuss replacement with a health care provider or pharmacy.
Source

Marketing campaigns

2021Paxlovid access and treatment rollout
United States · International
Pfizer supported regulatory review, manufacturing and distribution of Paxlovid as an oral treatment for eligible high-risk patients during the continuing COVID-19 emergency.
Outcome. Paxlovid became a major outpatient antiviral option in multiple markets.
Source
2020Global COVID-19 vaccine supply program
United States · Europe · Asia-Pacific · Latin America · Middle East · Africa
Pfizer and BioNTech organized large-scale manufacturing, regulatory submissions and international distribution for Comirnaty during the pandemic. The effort required expansion and coordination of production, cold-chain logistics and agreements with governments and multilateral purchasers.
Outcome. Comirnaty became one of the most widely distributed COVID-19 vaccines.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Acquire SeagenM&A
Background
Pfizer identified oncology and antibody-drug conjugates as strategic growth areas.
Action taken
Pfizer completed the acquisition of Seagen.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Pfizer’s oncology portfolio and added Seagen’s antibody-drug-conjugate research and development capabilities.
Source
2019
Focus the company on innovative medicinesStrategy
Background
Pfizer sought to reduce the relative importance of mature brands and consumer products in its portfolio.
Action taken
It separated Upjohn into Viatris and combined its consumer-health operations with GSK’s consumer-health business.
Aftermath
Pfizer became more concentrated on prescription innovative medicines and vaccines, while the divested operations continued under separate corporate structures.
Source
2006
Stop torcetrapib developmentOther
Background
A large Phase III cardiovascular trial showed excess mortality in the torcetrapib treatment group compared with the control regimen.
Action taken
Pfizer terminated the clinical program and discontinued development of the medicine.
Aftermath
The decision demonstrated the commercial and safety consequences of stopping a late-stage cardiovascular program after unfavorable clinical results.
Source

Recent events

2026-11-03
Pfizer raises full-year 2026 outlook[26]辉瑞上调2026年全年业绩展望cnbc.com
Reported: 2026-11-03
Pfizer raised its full-year revenue outlook to $62 billion–$64 billion from $60.5 billion–$62.5 billion, and its adjusted profit outlook to $2.95–$3.05 per share from $2.80–$3 per share.
2026-11-01
Pfizer appoints Cecile Guegan as CFO[27]辉瑞任命塞西尔·盖根为首席财务官rttnews.com
Reported: 2026-11-03
Pfizer appointed Cecile Guegan as chief financial officer and executive vice president, effective November 1, 2026.
2026-10-26
FDA approves Talzenna plus Xtandi for HRR-mutated mHSPC[28]FDA批准Talzenna联合Xtandi治疗HRR基因突变型mHSPCajmc.com
Reported: 2026-10-26
The FDA approved talazoparib (Talzenna) plus enzalutamide (Xtandi) for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with homologous recombination repair gene mutations, expanding the combination to an earlier disease setting.
2026-10-24
Pfizer announces layoffs at North Carolina facilities[29]辉瑞宣布裁减北卡罗来纳州设施员工wsoctv.com
Reported: 2026-10-24
Pfizer announced a new round of layoffs affecting its Rocky Mount and Sanford facilities in North Carolina. The company did not specify the number of positions, timing, or departments affected.
Unconfirmed
三生国健与辉瑞合作的PF-08634404（SSGJ-707）项目开展9项全球多中心临床试验[30]三生国健与辉瑞合作的PF-08634404（SSGJ-707）项目开展9项全球多中心临床试验prnasia.com
Reported: 2026-08-21
Sunshine Guojian's PF-08634404 (SSGJ-707) collaboration with Pfizer has launched nine global multicenter clinical trials covering non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and other solid tumor indications, with clinical development accelerating.
2023-12-12
Pfizer and Seagen receive required approvals for acquisition[31]Pfizer 与 Seagen 获得收购所需监管批准finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2023-12-12
Pfizer and Seagen received all required regulatory approvals to complete Pfizer's pending acquisition of Seagen. Pfizer said it expected the transaction to close on December 14, subject to customary closing conditions.
2022-02-02
Pfizer sues over alleged trade-secret theft[23]Pfizer sues over alleged trade-secret theftlawstreetmedia.com
Reported: 2022-02-03
Pfizer filed suit in the District of Connecticut against former employees Xiayang Qiu and Min Zhong and others. The complaint alleges that Qiu and Zhong stole Pfizer trade secrets and confidential information and later incorporated them into Regor; these are allegations in the complaint.
Unconfirmed
Pfizer and Beam Therapeutics announce research collaboration[32]辉瑞与 Beam Therapeutics 宣布研究合作biz.jrj.com.cn
Pfizer announced a four-year exclusive research collaboration with Beam Therapeutics focused on in vivo base-editing programs for rare genetic diseases. The reported terms include an upfront payment to Beam and potential milestone payments.
2022-01-14
FDA approves Cibinqo for atopic dermatitis[33]FDA批准Cibinqo用于治疗特应性皮炎healio.com
Reported: 2022-01-14
The FDA approved Cibinqo for treating patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
2021-12-14
FDA approves Xeljanz for ankylosing spondylitis[34]FDA批准Xeljanz用于治疗强直性脊柱炎finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2021-12-14
Pfizer said the U.S. FDA approved the supplemental New Drug Application for Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat adults with active ankylosing spondylitis who had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more tumor necrosis factor blockers.

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