Pfizer

On August 1, 2022, Pfizer completed its acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (GBT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel treatments for sickle cell disease. The acquisition, valued at approximately $5.4 billion, was aimed at expanding Pfizer's rare hematology portfolio and advancing its commitment to delivering innovative therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. GBT's lead product, Oxbryta, received FDA approval for treatment of sickle cell disease and represented a significant addition to Pfizer's capabilities in addressing challenging blood disorders.

On November 5, 2021, Pfizer announced positive results from a Phase 2/3 study of its novel COVID-19 oral antiviral candidate, known as Paxlovid. The study showed that Paxlovid significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in high-risk adults with COVID-19 when compared to placebo within three days of symptom onset. The findings marked a potential breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, offering an effective therapeutic option that could be administered outside of hospital settings. This development underscored Pfizer's ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 through both preventive and therapeutic measures.

On September 14, 2021, Pfizer announced that it had initiated a large-scale clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women. The trial aimed to enroll approximately 4,000 healthy, pregnant women aged 18 and older across multiple countries. This study highlighted Pfizer's dedication to ensuring the COVID-19 vaccine's safety for diverse populations, including those who are pregnant, and emphasized the importance of protecting both maternal and infant health through effective vaccination strategies amid the ongoing pandemic.

On August 23, 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine became the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This full approval, granted under the brand name Comirnaty, was based on updated data from clinical trials and ongoing review of safety and effectiveness monitoring. The FDA's decision to fully approve the vaccine was a landmark moment, affirming the vaccine's safety and efficacy and encouraging more people to get vaccinated, thereby strengthening the public health response to the pandemic.

On February 26, 2021, Pfizer Inc. announced its acquisition of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held company dedicated to the development of potentially life-saving therapies for patients with compromised immune systems who are at high risk for life-threatening fungal infections. This acquisition aimed at complementing Pfizer's existing anti-infective portfolio and expanding its capabilities in addressing the needs of immunocompromised patients. The move underscored Pfizer's commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable patient populations and reinforced its strategic focus on innovation in infectious disease treatment.

On December 11, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, following a thorough evaluation of clinical data that demonstrated its safety and efficacy. This marked a significant milestone in the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as it was one of the first vaccines to receive such approval, paving the way for mass immunization programs. The vaccine uses mRNA technology to elicit an immune response and has shown a high efficacy rate in clinical trials, ultimately proving to be a critical tool in reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide.

On November 9, 2020, Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, developed in collaboration with BioNTech, was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in participants without prior infection. This announcement was based on the first interim efficacy analysis conducted by an external data monitoring committee from the Phase 3 clinical trial. The news provided a major boost of hope to the global community, as the high efficacy raised expectations for effective vaccination against COVID-19, accelerating Pfizer's plans for regulatory submission and distribution.

On July 22, 2020, Pfizer and BioNTech announced a $1.95 billion agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense as part of Operation Warp Speed. The agreement was to secure 100 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, for the United States if it proved safe and effective. This significant investment was intended to ensure rapid and widespread access to a COVID-19 vaccine nationwide and represented a strategic effort by the government to expedite vaccine production and distribution even before full regulatory approval, demonstrating the urgent need to protect the public from the pandemic.

On June 1, 2020, Pfizer announced its collaboration with BioNTech to jointly develop and commercialize a potential mRNA-based vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The collaboration aimed to utilize BioNTech's proprietary mRNA vaccine platforms combined with Pfizer's expertise in vaccine research and development and large-scale manufacturing capabilities. This partnership was part of a broader global effort to accelerate the development of effective interventions against the novel coronavirus, highlighting Pfizer's proactive role in addressing the pandemic by focusing on innovative technological solutions.

On July 29, 2019, Pfizer Inc. and Mylan N.V. announced a definitive agreement to combine Mylan with Upjohn, Pfizer's off-patent branded and generic established medicines business, to create a new global pharmaceutical company named Viatris. This strategic move was designed to merge Mylan's portfolio of generics and specialty medicines with Upjohn's iconic brands, aimed at delivering affordable medicines to patients worldwide. The transaction was expected to offer greater scale and flexibility, ultimately enhancing the combined company's ability to reach more patients with high-quality medicines and generate meaningful value for all stakeholders involved.

On January 5, 2016, Pfizer Inc. completed its acquisition of Hospira, Inc., a leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies, for approximately $17 billion. This acquisition was aimed at strengthening Pfizer's Global Established Pharmaceutical (GEP) business by integrating Hospira's innovative technologies and expanding its portfolio of sterile injectable products. The merger was expected to create a comprehensive portfolio of biosimilars and generics, enhancing Pfizer's capacity to deliver patient-centric solutions in the healthcare industry and meet the growing demand for lower-cost medications in key markets around the world.