Executive Overview
As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla leads Pfizer in its purpose, “Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives,” with a focus on driving the scientific and commercial innovation needed to transform human health.Under Albert’s leadership, Pfizer is boldly pursuing one of the most ambitious strategies in the biopharmaceutical industry, aiming to redefine what is possible across oncology, internal medicine, inflammation and immunology and vaccines.Pfizer is at the forefront of reshaping cancer care. With the 2023 acquisition of Seagen, the company continues to advance a robust pipeline poised to deliver multiple breakthroughs by 2030. Pfizer is also building a meaningful presence in obesity and metabolic disease with a highly differentiated portfolio of next-generation treatments following the 2025 acquisition of Metsera. Albert has made artificial intelligence central to how Pfizer discovers, develops and manufactures medicines, believing it will accelerate innovation and fundamentally change what is possible for patients.Albert became CEO in January 2019 and advanced Pfizer’s transformation into a science-driven company, divesting non-science-based businesses and increasing investment in R&D and technology. He and his leadership team established Pfizer’s Purpose Blueprint, built on four values: Courage, Excellence, Equity and Joy.The urgency and innovation that defined Pfizer’s response to COVID-19 — delivering a safe and effective vaccine in eight months and the first FDA-authorized oral antiviral treatment — now shape how the company works across its entire portfolio.Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, to a family of Holocaust survivors, Albert is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Ph.D. in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University. During more than 30 years at Pfizer, he held senior positions in five countries before becoming CEO.Albert is a Genesis Prize Laureate. He has received the AACR Outstanding Achievement Award for Service to Cancer Science and Medicine, the ADL Courage Against Hate Award, the Golden Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, the Concordia Leadership Award and the Bower Award for Business Leadership. He was named among Fortune's Most Powerful People in Business, Time's 100 Most Influential People in Health and CEO of the Year by CNN Business.He is Chair of the Pfizer Foundation and Co-Chair of the Partnership for New York City. He previously served as Chair of PhRMA and as President of IFPMA.
Career Timeline
- PfizerCurrent2019–Present· 7 yrs 8 mos
- Chief Executive OfficerCurrent2019–Present
- PfizerCurrentMar 1993–Present· 33 yrs 6 mos
- Chairman, Board of DirectorsCurrent2020–Present
- Chief Executive Officer2019–Present
- Chief Operating Officer2018–Dec 2018
- Group President, Pfizer Innovative Health2014–Dec 2017
- President & General Manager, Established ProductsDec 2010–2014
- Area President, Europe, Africa & Middle East, Asia & PacificJul 2006–Dec 2010
- Various Roles, Pfizer Animal HealthMar 1993–Jul 2006
- May 2005–Dec 2017· 12 yrs 7 mos
- Group President, Pfizer Innovative HealthFeb 2016–Dec 2017
- Group President Vaccines, Oncology & Consumer Healthcare (VOC)2014–2016
- President & General Manager Established products Business Unit2010–Dec 2013
- Area President PAH Europe Africa Asia PacificMay 2005–Nov 2010
- 2004–2005· 1 yr
- Vice President Business Development and New Products Marketing2004–2005