Pfizer Appoints Executive Leadership for Allergan Deal

Pfizer has appointed the executive leadership team for the combined Pfizer and Allergan business following the close of the transaction. Brent Saunders will become president and chief operating officer of the combined company with responsibility for the oversight of Pfizer and Allergan’s combined commercial businesses, manufacturing and strategy functions.

Effective immediately, Pfizer’s Global Innovative Pharma (GIP) business and its Vaccines, Oncology and Consumer (VOC) business will operate separately under the leadership of Albert Bourla, currently group president, VOC.

Also, the combined company will create a new operating segment, Global Specialty and Consumer Brands that will include Pfizer’s Consumer Healthcare unit and Allergan’s ophthalmology and aesthetics businesses, and Botox Therapeutic and Cosmetic. Bill Meury, currently executive vice president and president Branded Pharma at Allergan, will become group president, Global Specialty and Consumer Brands, Pfizer.

Pfizer will continue to manage the combined company’s commercial operations through two businesses: an Innovative Products business and an Established Products business. The Innovative Products business will be composed of two operating segments: the Global Innovative Pharmaceutical and the Global Specialty and Consumer Brands segment. The Established Products business will continue to be led by John Young, and consist of the Global Established Pharmaceutical segment, including all legacy Hospira commercial operations.

“We are creating an executive team that has deep industry knowledge, a proven track record of success and an unwavering commitment to the patients we serve. I look forward to working with these outstanding leaders to achieve the full potential of this combination and fulfill our mission of becoming the premier biopharmaceutical company in our industry,” said Ian Read, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer. “We are designing the combined company to preserve and enhance our option to potentially separate the innovative and established businesses into separate companies in the future, and continue to expect to make a decision about any potential separation by no later than the end of 2018.”

Pfizer and Allergan will continue to operate as two separate companies until the close of the transaction, which is expected in 2Q16.