Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla warned that China could surpass the United States in early-stage drug discovery within one to two years, citing faster speed and lower costs. Speaking on "In Good Company" on May 20, 2026, Bourla also reflected on the company's pandemic-era experience, noting that COVID vaccine revenue plunged from $56 billion in 2022 to about $6 billion more recently, a swing he described as damaging to internal confidence. He credited a "resilience culture" for recovery and highlighted over $80 billion in acquisitions, including the roughly $40-plus billion Seagen deal, which he called a precision cancer-targeting platform with four marketed drugs and 13 in development. Bourla added that Pfizer rearranged its research and development to improve focus and stressed that culture "lifts the performance of an entire organization."
Pfizer IncCEO highlights over $80B in acquisitions including Seagen, a precision cancer platform with multiple drugs, and improved R&D focus.