History of Pfizer Timeline

(1849 - Present)

Pfizer is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart in Brooklyn, New York, it began as a fine chemicals business and grew into a global biopharmaceutical giant known for breakthrough drugs like penicillin, Viagra, Lipitor, and the COVID-19 vaccine developed with BioNTech. More Less

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Founding and Early Years

Charles Pfizer founds the company in Brooklyn

1849

Charles Pfizer, a German immigrant chemist, founded Charles Pfizer & Company in Brooklyn, New York, with financing from his cousin Charles Erhart. The company initially produced fine chemicals, with its first success being a palatable form of santonin, an antiparasitic drug blended with almond toffee flavoring.

Image source: Pfizer

Company moves headquarters to Manhattan

1868

Following growth in its early years, Pfizer moved its headquarters and operations from Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a larger facility in Manhattan, positioning itself for expanded chemical production in the growing New York market.

Pfizer becomes a major producer of citric acid

1880

Pfizer developed expertise in fermentation technology and became one of the leading American producers of citric acid, which was widely used in foods and beverages. This business became a cornerstone of the company's revenue for decades.

Deep-tank fermentation aids wartime penicillin production

1942

Pfizer adapted its deep-tank fermentation expertise from citric acid production to mass-produce penicillin. The company became the world's largest producer of the antibiotic, supplying much of the penicillin used by Allied forces during World War II.

Image source: Penicillin

Pfizer goes public on the New York Stock Exchange

Jun 1942

Pfizer offered shares to the public for the first time, listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The move provided capital for expansion and marked the company's transition into a publicly traded corporation.

John McKeen leads shift toward pharmaceuticals

1952

Under CEO John McKeen, Pfizer reorganized to emphasize research-driven pharmaceutical development, establishing divisions dedicated to discovering and marketing new drugs rather than relying primarily on commodity chemicals.

Edmund Pratt becomes CEO and diversifies the company

1972

Edmund Pratt became CEO of Pfizer and refocused the company on high-value pharmaceuticals while divesting non-core businesses such as agricultural chemicals over time, setting the stage for Pfizer's emergence as a pure-play pharma leader.

Hank McKinnell becomes CEO

2001

Henry McKinnell succeeded William Steere as CEO, continuing Pfizer's strategy of growth through large-scale acquisitions and expanding the company's global footprint.

Jeffrey Kindler replaces Hank McKinnell as CEO

2006

Jeffrey Kindler, a former lawyer, became CEO amid investor pressure following declining stock performance. He focused on cost-cutting and diversification beyond traditional pharmaceuticals.

Ian Read becomes CEO

Dec 2010

Ian Read replaced Jeffrey Kindler as CEO and refocused Pfizer on core pharmaceuticals, spinning off or divesting businesses including nutrition and animal health to sharpen strategic focus.

Image source: Ian Read (musician)

Product Innovations

Terramycin becomes first pharmaceutical discovered by Pfizer

1950

Pfizer scientists discovered oxytetracycline, marketed as Terramycin, marking the company's first proprietary pharmaceutical discovery. This shifted Pfizer's focus from bulk chemicals toward innovative prescription medicines.

Image source: Oxytetracycline

Oral contraceptive Enovid launched by G.D. Searle with Pfizer ingredients

1960

The first oral contraceptive, Enovid, was introduced in the United States. Pfizer supplied key steroid intermediates used in its production, benefiting from the revolutionary growth of the birth control market.

Image source: Combined oral contraceptive pill

Doxycycline (Vibramycin) introduced

1967

Pfizer introduced Vibramycin (doxycycline), a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that became one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the world and remains in use today.

Image source: Doxycycline

Pfizer launches Feldene, which becomes blockbuster anti-inflammatory

1980

Feldene (piroxicam), a once-daily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for arthritis, became Pfizer's first product to achieve $1 billion in annual sales, demonstrating the company's ability to create blockbuster drugs.

Image source: Piroxicam

Zoloft approved for depression

Dec 30, 1991

The FDA approved Zoloft (sertraline), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for depression. It became one of the best-selling antidepressants in history and a major revenue driver for Pfizer.

Image source: Sertraline

Norvasc approved for hypertension

1992

Pfizer received approval for Norvasc (amlodipine), a calcium channel blocker for hypertension and angina. It grew into one of the world's top-selling cardiovascular medications.

Image source: Amlodipine

Lipitor approved, later becoming best-selling drug in history

Dec 17, 1996

The FDA approved Lipitor (atorvastatin), a statin for lowering cholesterol. It went on to become the best-selling pharmaceutical product in history, earning more than $125 billion before patent expiration.

Image source: Atorvastatin

Lipitor approved, later becoming best-selling drug in history

Viagra approved by FDA

Mar 27, 1998

The FDA approved Viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction, originally studied as a cardiovascular drug. It became a cultural phenomenon and one of the fastest-selling drugs ever, generating billions in annual revenue.

Image source: Sildenafil

Mergers and Acquisitions

Pfizer acquires Desbergers to expand international reach

1961

Pfizer continued expanding internationally during the 1960s, establishing manufacturing and sales operations across Europe, Latin America, and Asia as global demand for antibiotics and other medicines grew.

William Steere becomes CEO and pursues acquisitions

1990

William Steere took over as CEO and aggressively pursued mergers and acquisitions, transforming Pfizer through deals that added products and research capabilities, including the acquisition of SmithKline Beecham's animal health assets.

Pfizer acquires Warner-Lambert

2000

Pfizer completed a $90 billion acquisition of Warner-Lambert after a bidding contest with American Home Products, gaining full ownership of Lipitor and becoming one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Pfizer acquires Pharmacia

Apr 2003

Pfizer acquired Pharmacia Corporation for approximately $60 billion, adding products like Celebrex and Xalatan and strengthening its position as the world's largest pharmaceutical company.

Image source: Pharmacia

Pfizer acquires Wyeth

Oct 15, 2009

Pfizer completed its $68 billion acquisition of Wyeth, gaining vaccines, biologics, and consumer health products. The deal diversified Pfizer's portfolio ahead of Lipitor's looming patent expiration.

Image source: Wyeth

Zoetis spun off as independent animal health company

Feb 1, 2013

Pfizer spun off its animal health division as Zoetis, the largest animal health company in the world, via an initial public offering, completing its strategy of focusing on human biopharmaceuticals.

Image source: Zoetis

Upjohn combined with Mylan to form Viatris

Nov 16, 2020

Pfizer completed the spinoff and merger of its Upjohn off-patent branded medicines unit with generic drugmaker Mylan, creating Viatris and leaving Pfizer focused on innovative medicines and vaccines.

Image source: Viatris

Modern Era and COVID-19

Partnership with BioNTech begins for mRNA flu vaccine

2018

Pfizer partnered with German biotech BioNTech to develop mRNA-based influenza vaccines, building a relationship that would prove pivotal when the companies pivoted to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.

Image source: BioNTech

Partnership with BioNTech begins for mRNA flu vaccine

Albert Bourla becomes CEO

Jan 1, 2019

Albert Bourla, a veterinarian who had spent decades at Pfizer, became CEO. He championed a science-focused strategy and bold bets on innovation, including mRNA technology, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Image source: Albert Bourla

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy announced

Nov 9, 2020

Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, showed more than 90% efficacy in late-stage trials, marking a landmark moment in the fight against the pandemic.

Image source: Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

FDA grants emergency use authorization for Comirnaty

Dec 11, 2020

The FDA issued emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, making it the first authorized COVID vaccine in the United States. Mass vaccination campaigns began within days.

FDA fully approves Comirnaty

Aug 23, 2021

The FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Comirnaty, the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive complete approval in the United States, cementing Pfizer's role in ending the pandemic.