Pfizer

Dr. Martin Mackay has been named president of Pfizer Global Research and Development (PGRD), an independent biotherapeutics and bioinnovation center under the direction of scientist Dr. Corey Goodman. Also, Dr. Briggs Morrison has been named head of clinical development for the PGRD pipeline.

“As the leader of PGRD, Martin Mackay will bring Pfizer’s talent, drug discovery and development experience, capital and technology to bear on increasing the value of our near-term pipeline and bringing new compounds forward to approval,” said Jeff Kindler, chairman and chief executive officer. “Martin will drive changes in PGRD’s goals, performance measurements, allocation of resources, culture and leadership so that Pfizer delivers a steady stream of new medicines that represent compelling value to our customers and payers.”

“We are also launching a new biotherapeutics and bioinnovation center with a unique structure to discover, license and acquire more new product candidates that we can put into development,” said Mr. Kindler. “With this strategy, we are leveraging Pfizer’s excellence in drug discovery and development by complementing it with a distinct, California-based enterprise led by world-class scientists charged with discovering and bringing in new compounds.”

Dr. Mackay has been with the company for 12 years and most recently served as vice president of global R&D. He succeeds John LaMattina, who announced plans to retire by year-end after 30 years with the company.

Dr. Morrison joins the company from Merck, where he most recently served as senior vice president of research planning and integration. Previously, he was Merck’s head of clinical development.