Founded in New York in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart, Pfizer has grown into a multinational biopharmaceutical company. It focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and distribution of a wide range of medicines and vaccines. This positions Pfizer as a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, providing health solutions worldwide. Its mission is to create breakthroughs that improve patients’ lives through continuous scientific innovation.
Major Therapeutic Areas
Pfizer’s comprehensive portfolio addresses diverse disease states across several major therapeutic areas. Oncology represents a significant focus, with the company developing treatments for various cancer types, including breast, genitourinary, hematology-oncology, and thoracic cancers. These efforts encompass biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies, and biosimilars, reflecting a broad approach to cancer care.
Vaccines are another core area, providing preventative medicines for infectious diseases. Pfizer also maintains a substantial presence in internal medicine, targeting chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity and type 2 diabetes), and kidney diseases. These initiatives aim to treat, slow, or prevent disease progression and improve patient quality of life.
In the field of inflammation and immunology, Pfizer develops therapies for autoimmune conditions. This includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and atopic dermatitis. The research in this area seeks to address the underlying causes of chronic inflammatory diseases at a molecular level.
Pfizer also dedicates resources to rare diseases, which are conditions affecting a small number of people, often with a genetic origin. The company explores treatments for conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and ATTR amyloidosis, including advancements in gene therapy. These efforts aim to address significant unmet medical needs for populations with limited treatment options.
The company’s anti-infectives portfolio includes antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic medications. Many of these therapies are used in hospital settings for patients with serious infections that are challenging to treat, including those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Additionally, Pfizer supplies hospital products, such as sterile injectable medicines, which are essential for various medical procedures and patient care.
Notable Medications and Their Impact
Throughout its history, Pfizer has developed medications that have influenced public health. Lipitor (atorvastatin) became widely known for its role in cholesterol reduction, helping to manage cardiovascular risk for millions of patients. Viagra (sildenafil) brought a new treatment option for erectile dysfunction, addressing a previously underserved medical need. These examples illustrate Pfizer’s historical contributions across different therapeutic areas.
More recently, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) emerged as an oral treatment for COVID-19, playing a role in combating the global pandemic. This antiviral medication was developed to help reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and the risk of hospitalization. Prevnar, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, has been instrumental in preventing pneumococcal disease, particularly in vulnerable populations. It remains one of Pfizer’s high-revenue products, reflecting its widespread use and public health importance.
Another contribution during the pandemic was Comirnaty, the COVID-19 vaccine developed in collaboration with BioNTech. This mRNA-based vaccine played a role in global immunization efforts, providing protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These medications represent a few examples from Pfizer’s broader portfolio, demonstrating the company’s impact across various health challenges, from chronic conditions to infectious diseases.
Global Access and Distribution
Pfizer ensures its medications reach patients worldwide through an extensive global manufacturing network. This network spans six continents and benefits from substantial annual investments exceeding $1 billion, enabling the production of a diverse range of pharmaceutical products. The company’s supply chain is designed for robustness and agility, incorporating built-in flexibility, purposeful overproduction, and multiple suppliers to maintain consistent supply and respond to shifting global health needs.
Equitable access to medicines is central to Pfizer’s distribution strategy. Programs such as Pfizer RxPathways assist patients, while initiatives like the Accord for a Healthier World aim to close healthcare equity gaps by providing patented medicines on a not-for-profit basis to lower-income countries. Partnerships with organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Zipline for drone vaccine delivery further demonstrate these efforts to reach underserved populations.
The scale of Pfizer’s operations is evident in its ability to distribute medications to various healthcare systems and patient populations across continents, reaching over 414 million patients worldwide in 2024. The logistical aspects include strategic production and distribution centers, as well as specialized thermal shipping containers for temperature-sensitive products like vaccines. This comprehensive approach ensures that the company’s diverse portfolio of drugs is available globally, even for those with strict storage requirements.