Albert Bourla
Born 1961 · Age 65
Greek-American veterinarian and businessman; chairman and CEO of Pfizer, led Pfizer through COVID-19 vaccine development and major strategic refocus toward R&D.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Thessaloniki, Greece
Born to a Sephardi Jewish family in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Completed DVM studies at the Veterinary School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (doctoral-level veterinary degree noted in biographies).
Completed doctoral thesis in biotechnology of reproduction
Doctoral thesis titled 'Effect of melatonin implants on sperm characteristics and on the freezability of Karagouniki ram semen' (1991).
Joined Pfizer — animal health technical director (Greece)
Hired by Pfizer as a veterinarian and technical director for the company's Animal Health division in Greece, his first role at Pfizer.
Left Greece after Pfizer promotion (relocation)
Left Greece with his wife following promotion within Pfizer; began living and working in multiple countries and cities thereafter.
Immigrated to the United States (joined US operations)
Relocated to the United States as part of his continuing career progression with Pfizer.
Promoted to Area President, Animal Health (EMEA)
Served as area president for Pfizer Animal Health's Europe, Africa and Middle East division (2005–2009).
Promoted launch of Improvac in Europe
Promoted the European market launch of Improvac, an immunocastration product for male pigs intended to reduce boar taint.
Oversaw Europe, Africa & Asia Pacific operations; managed Wyeth Fort Dodge merger in region
From 2009–2010 he oversaw the Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific regions and managed integration of Wyeth's Fort Dodge Animal Health business in those regions.
President & General Manager, Established Products Business Unit
Led Pfizer’s business for drugs that recently lost patent exclusivity (2010–2013).
Helped launch Eliquis (anticoagulant)
Played a role in launching Eliquis (anticoagulant) as part of his leadership responsibilities on global product teams.
Concluded tenure as President, Established Products (2010–2013)
Completed role building the established-products business and preparing next leadership assignments.
Group President — Global Vaccines, Oncology & Consumer Healthcare
Served as group president of Pfizer's global vaccines, oncology and consumer healthcare business from Jan 2014 to Jan 2016; oversaw cancer and heart drugs and product launches.
Helped launch Ibrance (breast cancer treatment)
Contributed to the launch efforts for Ibrance while overseeing vaccine/oncology/consumer businesses.
Innovative Health revenue grew 11% during his tenure
During his leadership of Innovative Health, the business reported an 11% revenue increase for the year.
Elected to the BIO Health Section Governing Board
Joined the Biotechnology Innovation Organization's Health Section governing board (BIO is the major biotech trade association).
Group President — Pfizer Innovative Health
Named Group President of Pfizer Innovative Health (Feb 2016–Dec 2017), overseeing key innovative medicines and markets.
Named Pfizer Chief Operating Officer (COO) — effective Jan 1, 2018
Pfizer created a COO role for Bourla; he began overseeing development, manufacturing, sales and strategy starting Jan 1, 2018.
Started role as COO, Pfizer
Assumed operational leadership of Pfizer beginning Jan 1, 2018, restructuring the company and spinning off non-core consumer healthcare.
Joined Pfizer's Board of Directors
Became a member of the board of directors of Pfizer in February 2018 while serving as COO.
Announced as Ian Read's successor (CEO-designate)
Pfizer announced Bourla would succeed Ian Read as CEO; appointment effective Jan 1, 2019.
Became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pfizer
Formally succeeded Ian Read as CEO of Pfizer, focusing on R&D and transforming Pfizer into a more science-driven company.
Testified at U.S. Senate hearing on prescription drug prices
One of seven pharmaceutical CEOs who participated in a Senate Committee on Finance hearing on drug pricing (Feb 2019).
Received Prix Galien Greece — Preeminent Greek Leader
Awarded 'Preeminent Greek Leader' of the global pharmaceutical industry at the Prix Galien Greece Awards (April 2019).
Became Executive Chairman of Pfizer
Assumed additional role of Executive Chairman after Ian Read's retirement (January 2020).
Directed large at-risk investment to COVID-19 vaccine program
Under Bourla's leadership Pfizer invested more than $2 billion at-risk to accelerate development and manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine (partnered with BioNTech); he prioritized speed and safety.
Authorized large-scale pre-approval manufacturing to accelerate availability
Took the commercial/manufacturing risk of producing vaccine doses before regulatory approval so vaccines could ship immediately upon authorization.
Reported compensation of roughly $21 million for 2020
Bourla received approximately $21 million in total compensation from Pfizer in 2020.
Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine reported >90% efficacy
Pfizer announced early clinical data showing the COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective (Nov 9, 2020), a pivotal milestone for Pfizer and global vaccination efforts.
Named 'CEO of the Year' by CNN Business; Carnegie 'Great Immigrant' honoree
Recognized by CNN Business and the Carnegie Corporation for leadership amid the pandemic and as an immigrant leader.
Established Pfizer Artificial Intelligence Center in Thessaloniki (announced involvement)
Directed the creation of Pfizer's AI Center in his hometown and supported Pfizer activities (vaccine donations, medical aid to Greece), enhancing company ties to Greece.
Regulatory/ethics scrutiny after BBC interview on child vaccination
Following a December 2021 BBC interview in which he praised vaccinating children, a UK medical ethics authority determined Pfizer's statements were misleading/unbalanced.
Awarded the Genesis Prize ($1M) for COVID-19 vaccine leadership
Received the $1 million Genesis Prize for leadership in developing the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and donated the prize to Holocaust education and the Holocaust Museum of Greece.
Received Double Helix Medal and Bower Award recognition
Honored with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Double Helix Medal and received the Bower Award for Business Leadership for pandemic leadership.
Published 'Moonshot: Inside Pfizer's Nine-Month Race' (book)
Authored a book recounting Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine development; later received industry awards and became a Wall Street Journal bestseller.
Book awards and recognition ('Moonshot') — Axiom Bronze, Jewish book finalist
His book was a Bronze Medalist in the 2023 Axiom Awards and a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards, and appeared on WSJ bestseller list for several weeks.
Received $21.5 million total compensation from Pfizer for 2023
Pfizer reported Bourla's 2023 compensation as $21.5 million, giving a CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio of 291:1.
Named in Time's 2024 list of Top 100 most influential people in health
Recognized by Time magazine for influence in health sector (2024 list).
Chair roles at PhRMA and Pfizer Foundation (publicized)
Listed as Chair of the Board for both the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the Pfizer Foundation on Pfizer leadership materials.
Philanthropic actions: vaccine donations & medicine donations to Greece
Organized vaccine donations, medical aid for refugees, and personally directed >$1M in medicine donations to help uninsured patients in Greece; supported Holocaust Museum of Greece.
Invited to White House state dinner for Kenyan President William Ruto
Attended a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in May 2024 as a guest among business leaders and dignitaries.
Publicly defended Israel in meeting with Zohran Mamdani (reported)
Reported to have defended Israel's war on Gaza and contested characterizations of genocide during a July 15, 2025 meeting — included here because it was mentioned in the biography source updates.
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