US drugmaker Pfizer Inc yesterday announced that chief executive Ian Read is stepping down, handing off to chief operating officer Albert Bourla on Jan. 1 next year.
Read is to serve as executive chairman of Pfizer’s board of directors, the company said in a statement.
‘RIGHT TIME’
“It’s been an honor to serve as Pfizer’s CEO for the past eight years,” Read said in the statement. “However, now is the right time for a leadership change, and Albert is the right person to guide Pfizer through the coming era.”
Pfizer, one of the world’s biggest drugs companies, reported earnings of US$3.9 billion in the second quarter, up 26 percent from the same period last year.
However, like its rivals, Pfizer is contending with the expiration of patents on some of its blockbuster drugs, which has allowed generic drugmakers to offer cheaper alternatives.
This evolution had hit earnings to the tune of US$23 billion during Read’s time at the top, Pfizer said in its statement announcing the leadership change.
However, a strong pipeline of new products bequeathed by the outgoing chief executive officer meant “the company is now better positioned for success,” Pfizer added.
Bourla, 56, became chief operating officer at the start of this year after previously overseeing Pfizer’s “Innovative Health” unit.
SEASONED SUCCESSOR
He has also run the drugmaker’s vaccines, oncology and consumer healthcare business.
The 56-year-old Bourla said he was “humbled and privileged” to be unanimously appointed by the board as Read’s successor.
“This is a dynamic time for Pfizer, and I look forward to working with our colleagues to deliver critical medicines to patients all over the globe, which remains the compass for all we do at Pfizer,” Bourla said.
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