Pfizer To Streamline Operations

Pfizer’s newly appointed chief executive officer, Jeffrey B. Kindler, has announced a new leadership organization to streamline the company’s operations and speed decision-making.

Mr. Kindler said, “Our new organizational structure builds on the strengths of our company while responding to the accelerating changes in the environment in which we operate. This will put us in the best position to capitalize quickly on the enormous opportunities ahead of us through increasing support for successful new medicines, forging partnerships with key customers, entering into co-promotion and licensing agreements, investing in new technologies to add value to our core product offerings, or acquiring new products and services from outside the company.”

According to Mr. Kindler, David Shedlarz, vice chairman, will be assuming expanded responsibilities, including Pfizer global manufacturing, worldwide strategic planning, licensing and business development and technology. “To his new role as my principal deputy, David brings strategic insight, years of experience in our industry and many important accomplishments achieved during his distinguished career at Pfizer,” said Mr. Kindler.

The new executive leadership team, which Mr. Kindler said, “brings together all the essential elements necessary for us to compete in this new era for healthcare,” includes the senior-most leadership, management and decision-making body of the company. It consists of Mr. Shedlarz; PGRD president John LaMattina, whose role reflects the importance of science to the company’s future; worldwide pharmaceuticals operations president Ian Read, will lead an integrated global unit; chief medical officer Dr. Joe Feczko; worldwide talent development and human resources leader Sylvia Montero; general counsel Allen Waxman; and worldwide public affairs and policy leader, Rich Bagger.

Pointing to the advantages of a streamlined leadership structure, Mr. Kindler told colleagues that among the opportunities the company will pursue are: growing its portfolio of research opportunities and expand genomics and biologics; building upon a broad and diverse pool of talent from both Pfizer colleagues as well as from outside the company; speeding the development of patient support and compliance programs to enhance the value of Pfizer medicines to patients; and harnessing technology for the company’s competitive advantage, both internally and with respect to the company’s customer offerings.

Also, vice chairman Karen Katen will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. She will provide advice and leadership over the next several months in several areas, including Pfizer Health Solutions and Pfizer Healthy Directions, as well as healthcare policy.