Pfizer Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Executive Appointments

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has made significant moves to bolster its executive roster, bringing in industry veterans to lead crucial divisions within the company. These strategic appointments come as part of a broader leadership restructuring initiative that began last summer.

James List Joins as Chief Internal Medicine Officer

In a notable development, Pfizer has announced the appointment of James List, M.D., Ph.D., as its new chief internal medicine officer. List, a ten-year Johnson & Johnson veteran, will be responsible for spearheading Pfizer's pipeline of cardiovascular, metabolic, hematologic, and obesity medicines from early discovery to late development stages.

List's extensive background includes a decade at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he culminated his tenure as vice president of diabetes development in 2014. His research expertise spans viral pathogenesis and GLP-1, making him a valuable asset to Pfizer's research and development efforts. List is also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and is regarded as a "world-class business and scientific leader with clinical experience in endocrinology," according to Pfizer's announcement.

Patrizia Cavazzoni Takes on Chief Medical Officer Role

In another key appointment, Pfizer has named Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., as its new chief medical officer. Cavazzoni, a seven-year FDA veteran, recently retired from her position as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Her extensive experience includes leadership roles at Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and previously at Pfizer itself.

Cavazzoni succeeds Aida Habtezion, M.D., who served as CMO and head of worldwide medical and safety for four years before departing to pursue other opportunities. This transition marks a significant shift in Pfizer's medical leadership, bringing in a wealth of regulatory expertise to guide the company's clinical and safety strategies.

Ongoing Leadership Transformation

These appointments are part of a broader leadership overhaul at Pfizer that began in the summer of 2022. The restructuring was triggered by the retirement of Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., the company's former chief scientific officer and R&D head, after 15 years of service.

In response to Dolsten's departure, Pfizer promoted Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., from his previous role as chief oncology officer to fill the position of chief scientific officer. Subsequently, the company brought in Novartis veteran Jeffrey Legos, Ph.D., to take over the oncology leadership role.

These strategic leadership changes reflect Pfizer's commitment to strengthening its executive team with experienced industry professionals, positioning the company to drive innovation and growth in key therapeutic areas.