Pfizer names Albert Bourla as COO

Pharma giant Pfizer has appointed a new chief operating officer in the form of Albert Bourla, who has been the group president of Pfizer’s innovative health business since the beginning of 2016.

Prior to his current position, Dr Bourla was the group president for Pfizer’s vaccines, oncology and consumer healthcare units, where he drove the expansion of the company’s business in vaccines.

Ian Read, chairman and CEO, Pfizer, said: “Albert is a proven and trusted leader with over two decades of leadership experience and a demonstrated track record for delivering strong business results.

“He possesses the right combination of skills, knowledge, strengths and a deep commitment to Pfizer’s culture that make him the clear choice to become Pfizer’s COO.”

He has held several positions at Pfizer including general manager of the company’s established products business unit and area president for its animal health business across the EMEA regions.

Pfizer has also promoted John Young, current group president of Pfizer Essential Health, who becomes group president of Pfizer Innovative Health.

Young has held several senior leadership positions throughout his career with Pfizer including president of its primary care business.

His expertise includes commercial and clinical medicine development in several therapeutic areas.

Succeeding Young will be Angela Hwang, who currently serves Pfizer as its global president and general manager for its inflammation and immunology business.

Hwang joined the company in 1997 in its corporate strategic planning and policy group and since then she has held leadership roles within the innovative health and essential health businesses as regional head for US vaccines, vice president for emerging markets for primary care and vice president of the US brands business within essential health.