From Small Chemicals to Mass Production: Pfizer's Early Growth
Founded in 1849 in Brooklyn, New York, by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company began as a chemical business. Its first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, which they made more palatable by combining it with a sweet-tasting candy. During the Civil War, the company expanded its production to include painkillers and antiseptics for the Union Army. Later, Pfizer's expertise grew with the mass production of citric acid, a key ingredient in the booming soft drink industry.
The Penicillin Revolution of World War II
Pfizer's early success with fermentation technology for citric acid became its defining advantage during World War II. Responding to an urgent government call to mass-produce the new antibiotic penicillin, Pfizer leveraged its proprietary deep-tank fermentation method. This innovative technique allowed for unprecedented large-scale production, supplying approximately 90% of the penicillin used by Allied soldiers during the Normandy campaign. This accomplishment not only established Pfizer as a pharmaceutical powerhouse but also cemented its transition from a chemical manufacturer to a research-driven drug company.
The Blockbuster Drug Era
Following the war, Pfizer expanded its focus on research and development, leading to the creation of several world-renowned medications. The late 20th century saw the company develop a pipeline of blockbuster drugs that transformed treatment for many common conditions. Some notable examples include:
- Zoloft (sertraline): A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for major depressive disorder and other conditions.
- Lipitor (atorvastatin): A highly successful cholesterol-lowering statin that became the best-selling prescription drug in history before its patent expiration.
- Viagra (sildenafil): Originally investigated for hypertension, this drug was found to treat erectile dysfunction, launching it into global notoriety.
- Diflucan (fluconazole): The first oral treatment for severe fungal infections.
- Zithromax (azithromycin): A macrolide antibiotic that became a gold standard for treating community-acquired pneumonia.
- Lyrica (pregabalin): Used for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
The Rise of Vaccines and Antivirals
Pfizer has also made significant strides in vaccine development and infectious disease treatment. After acquiring Wyeth in 2009, Pfizer gained its Prevnar vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal infections and has significantly reduced infection rates in young children. The most recent and impactful achievement in this category was Pfizer's rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In partnership with the German biotech company BioNTech, Pfizer invested its own capital to rapidly develop an mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty, which proved to be highly effective. The vaccine received emergency use authorization in late 2020, becoming a critical tool in the global fight against the virus. Following this, Pfizer developed and launched Paxlovid, an oral antiviral treatment for high-risk COVID-19 patients, further cementing its role in the pandemic response.
Focusing on Future Breakthroughs: Oncology and Beyond
In recent years, Pfizer has strategically shifted its focus towards high-growth, high-impact areas, particularly oncology and cardiometabolic diseases. Through major acquisitions, the company is aiming to deliver a new wave of innovative therapies.
Oncology Expansion via Acquisition
In 2023, Pfizer made one of its largest investments by acquiring Seagen for $43 billion. This strategic move significantly bolstered Pfizer's oncology pipeline and brought in Seagen's world-leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. ADCs are a promising class of targeted therapy that acts like a 'guided missile,' delivering cancer-killing drugs directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy ones. Following this acquisition, Pfizer set an ambitious goal to deliver eight or more blockbuster cancer medicines by 2030.
Targeting the Obesity Market
In September 2025, Pfizer announced its acquisition of Metsera, a clinical-stage company focused on obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. This deal adds promising GLP-1 candidates to Pfizer's pipeline, including a potential monthly injectable for weight loss. This move positions Pfizer to become a major player in the rapidly expanding anti-obesity market, projected by analysts to be worth over $100 billion by 2030.
Pfizer's Impact: Pre- and Post-COVID Comparison
| Feature | Pre-COVID Era (Before 2020) | Post-COVID Era (2020 and After) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Drug Portfolio | Dominated by blockbusters like Lipitor, Viagra, and Lyrica. Focused on established disease areas. | Rapid pivot towards mRNA vaccines, antivirals, and oncology via large-scale acquisitions. |
| R&D Focus | Broad spectrum of research with varying success rates; declining R&D productivity in the decade prior. | Enhanced R&D productivity driven by the 'lightspeed' paradigm, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and significant investment in oncology and gene therapy. |
| Key Achievement Example | Mass-producing penicillin for WWII and developing Lipitor, the world's best-selling drug. | Rapid development and deployment of the Comirnaty mRNA vaccine and Paxlovid antiviral. |
| Strategic Growth | Primarily organic development and large, transformative mergers like Pharmacia (2002) and Wyeth (2009). | Aggressive targeted acquisitions like Seagen (2023) and Metsera (2025) to bolster high-growth pipelines and offset patent cliffs. |
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation and Adaptation
What Pfizer has achieved over its nearly two centuries is a testament to its capacity for innovation and adaptation. From supplying essential chemicals and medicines during wartime to pioneering novel treatment modalities like mRNA vaccines and antibody-drug conjugates, the company has consistently shaped the pharmaceutical landscape. The strategic acquisitions in oncology and cardiometabolic fields highlight a proactive approach to address future health challenges and sustain growth in a competitive industry. Pfizer's journey from a small chemical shop to a global pharmaceutical leader demonstrates a clear pattern of leveraging scientific expertise to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives, with a renewed emphasis on precision medicine and cutting-edge biotechnology.
