Pfizer Inc. is a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in New York, USA. Founded in 1849, Pfizer has grown into one of the world’s largest research-based biopharmaceutical firms, recognized for developing innovative medicines, vaccines, and therapies that improve and extend lives.
History Of Pfizer Pharma
Pfizer began in 1849, when cousins Charles Pfizer (a chemist) and Charles Erhart (a confectioner) teamed up to launch a small chemical business in Brooklyn, New York. Their first product, a sweet‑toffee version of the antiparasitic santonin proved popular and set the tone for future innovation.
Over the following decades, you’d see Pfizer expand steadily. In the 1860s, sales doubled during the U.S. Civil War, as Pfizer supplied the Union Army with medicines and chemicals. By 1881, they moved their headquarters to Manhattan and, by 1906, their annual sales topped $3 million.
A key turning point came in 1919, when Pfizer invented a fermentation process that made citric acid from sugar instead of fruit, a breakthrough that helped them become leaders in fermentation, and later enabled penicillin mass production during World War II.
In 1942, the company went public, and by 1944, it had opened the world’s first large-scale penicillin plant, becoming a top antibiotic producer.
From Humble Lab to Pharma Powerhouse
As years passed, Pfizer introduced some of the world’s most recognized medications and consumer products.
- Viagra
- Zoloft (antidepressant)
- Lipitor (cholesterol-lowering)
- Over-the-counter staples like Advil, Centrum, and ChapStick
Strategic Acquisitions Helped Pfizer Grow Rapidly:
Warner-Lambert in 2000 brought Lipitor into its portfolio.
Wyeth in 2009 added top brands like Advil and Robitussin.
More recently, Pfizer acquired Medivation (2016) and Seagen (2023) to strengthen its oncology and biosimilars offerings.
Pfizer’s Mission
Pfizer’s mission is to be the premier, innovative biopharmaceutical company making breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. You can see this drive in how they apply science and their worldwide resources to help improve health and well‑being at every stage of life.
They also express their purpose simply as “Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives”, meaning their work, especially in research and development, focuses on creating treatments that truly matter to you and others who need them.
Pfizer’s Values
Pfizer supports its mission through four core values that guide how they do the work and how you might see it in action:
Courage: You’ll notice they’re not afraid to take bold steps in science, even when the path forward is challenging.
Excellence: You get the sense that no detail is too small; their goal is high quality in every medicine and vaccine they develop.
Equity: They aim for fair access, making sure their breakthroughs reach everyone, not just a few.
Joy: Despite the seriousness of their work, they believe in finding energy, optimism, and fulfilment in helping people, something you can feel when you see their efforts to make healthcare better.
Pfizer’s Manufacturing Facility in Pakistan
Pfizer began serving Pakistan’s healthcare needs in 1959, when its first plant was built in Karachi’s West Wharf industrial zone. By 1961, you could see Pfizer products being locally manufactured, following an early partnership with Dumex.
This facility played a major role in delivering innovative and quality medicines across Pakistan in areas like anti-infectives, cardiology, vaccines, rheumatology, steroidal therapies, and oncology, helping make medicines accessible, safe, and effective for you and millions of others.
Recent Development: Transfer of Ownership
In 2024, Pfizer Pakistan’s manufacturing facility (located at B2 SITE, Karachi) was acquired by Lucky Core Industries (LCI). This transaction included not only the plant itself but also several well-known pharmaceutical brands and their associated trademarks, such as Ansaid, Ponstan, Ponstan Forte, Basoquin, Deltacortril, Lysovit, Corex‑D, and Mycitracin.
The deal, finalized in September 2024, received swift approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan. It ensures continuity of production in Karachi and affirms LCI’s commitment to growth in the pharmaceutical sector.
Pfizer’s Key Focus Areas
Pfizer centers its work on research, development, and delivery across several major therapeutic fields and product types. Here’s how they structure their focus:
Internal Medicine
You can expect Pfizer to develop treatments for conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Inflammation & Immunology
Pfizer looks beyond symptoms to tackle the root causes of chronic inflammatory diseases, often at a molecular level.
Oncology (Cancer Treatment)
They focus on precision medicine, tumor biology, immuno-oncology, and novel therapies targeting cancers like breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, renal, melanoma, and blood cancers.
Vaccines
Pfizer invests heavily in vaccine research and deployment, from routine immunizations to new vaccine technologies.
Rare Diseases & Pediatrics
You’ll find that Pfizer supports clinical trials and treatments for uncommon conditions and pediatric needs.
Types of Research Collaboration at Pfizer
Pfizer works with many partners to bring healthcare innovations to life. Here’s how they collaborate:
Pfizer-Sponsored Clinical Research
You’ll often see Pfizer running clinical trials in academic hospitals, top universities, or research centers. They help design the study, recruit participants, monitor safety, analyze results, and share findings. These trials test how well new treatments work in real people.
Investigator-Initiated Research (ISR)
If you’re a researcher with a good idea, Pfizer may support your study. They provide funding, drug supply, or other help for clinical or lab research that investigates approved or new uses of drugs, disease patterns, diagnostics, or screening tools.
Academic & Public Partnerships
Pfizer teams up with universities, government bodies, foundations, and other public institutions. These collaborations expand the research network and bring together different kinds of expertise.
Biotech & Startup Collaborations
If you’re part of a biotech or a startup, Pfizer may collaborate through licensing, acquisitions, early‑stage investments, or incubator programs. Recent examples include their deal with Flagship Pioneering, co-developing 10 drug candidates, and collaboration with Atavistik Bio on precision allosteric therapeutics.
Venture Capital & Innovation Models
Pfizer invests in promising young companies through programs like Pfizer Ventures and the innovative Pfizer Flagship alliance. These collaborations help turn early-stage science into medicines faster.
Strategic R&D Partnerships & AI
You might see Pfizer working with tech firms or academic groups on advanced science such as immuno-oncology, AI data modeling, or technology-driven drug discovery. Examples include a collaboration with Adaptive Biotechnologies and an AI-backed partnership with CytoReason.
Global Calls for Collaborators (CFCs)
Pfizer issues “calls for collaborators” to invite researchers worldwide to co-develop new research projects. A recent example is the global CFC for migraine studies, selected researchers work with Pfizer on study design and protocol.
Pfizer’s Top Products in Pakistan
Pfizer offers a wide portfolio in Pakistan, covering mental health, cardiovascular care, infections, sexual health, and nutritional support. Here are some of the most notable products you may come across:
Viagra 100mg tablet : Known worldwide, Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to help you achieve and maintain an erection. It is one of Pfizer’s flagship products and continues to be recognized as a trusted treatment option.
Zoloft (sertraline): A leading antidepressant for managing depression and anxiety disorders.
Lipitor (atorvastatin): A cholesterol-lowering medicine that reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
Norvasc (amlodipine): A treatment for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.
Diflucan (fluconazole): An antifungal medication effective for infections like candidiasis.
Dalacin C (clindamycin): An antibiotic commonly prescribed for skin, respiratory, and other infections.
Lysovit Syrup: A nutritional supplement often recommended during pregnancy or for dietary deficiencies.