Pfizer Names Dr. Chris Boshoff Chief Scientific Officer

When the company you work for has been advancing breakthroughs for 175 years, there is a lot of scientific talent under one roof.

We’re proud to announce that after a comprehensive search, Pfizer’s current Chief Oncology Officer and Executive Vice President, Dr. Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed as Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development, effective January 1, 2025.

Dr. Boshoff was selected after a comprehensive search that kicked off when Dr. Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D.—who leaves Pfizer with more than 35 drug and vaccine approvals under his belt, including the landmark COVID-19 vaccine—announced his retirement earlier this year.

“Dr. Boshoff is the ideal leader to propel Pfizer’s R&D engine forward and transform it into a world-leading organization with a more focused strategy, driving the delivery of additional 2 impactful breakthrough medicines with blockbuster potential,” said Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla. “Under Chris’ leadership, Oncology has become one of Pfizer’s most productive divisions and his continued supervision will ensure that we achieve our goal of being a global leader in oncology and other core therapeutic areas.”

While the leadership team is changing, Pfizer’s Oncology unit, strengthened by 2023’s acquisition of Seagen, will maintain its fully integrated structure. Dr. Roger Dansey, M.D., formerly Seagen’s Chief Medical Officer and most recently Pfizer’s Chief Development Officer, will serve as Interim Chief Oncology Officer, reporting to Dr. Boshoff in the new year. Together they will spearhead a search for a permanent Chief Oncology Officer and facilitate a smooth transition of Dr. Dansey’s current responsibilities to his successor, Dr. Johanna Bendell, M.D. who will join Pfizer in 2025 as Chief Development Officer, Oncology.

Dr. Dolsten’s contributions to Pfizer and to medicine as a whole will not soon be forgotten, and this transition to Dr. Boshoff ensures that Pfizer will remain dedicated to leading in science as we push to outdo yesterday and advance breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.