Pfizer Inc. ranks as one of the oldest and largest pharmaceutical companies in North America. Two German immigrant cousins founded the company in Brooklyn, New York, in 1849. The company produces medicines and vaccines for immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology.
Pfizer’s top products include Eliquis for blood clots, Prevnar vaccines, Paxlovid for COVID-19, and Vyndaqel for heart disease. The company generated 61% of its 2024 revenues from the United States. Pfizer operates research facilities and manufacturing plants across dozens of countries worldwide.
The company invests heavily in research and development to discover new treatments. Pfizer achieved nine FDA approvals for new medicines in 2023 alone. Its pipeline includes over 170 projects targeting various diseases and conditions.
Pfizer History
Pfizer Co-founders
Pfizer Revenue
Pfizer generated $63.6 billion in revenue during 2024, representing 7% operational growth from the previous year. Excluding COVID-19 products, the company achieved 12% operational revenue growth. The company reached record revenues of $100 billion in 2022 during peak COVID-19 vaccine demand.
Pfizer Market Cap
Pfizer’s market capitalization stands at approximately $147.2 billion as of December 2025. This valuation positions the company as the world’s 132nd most valuable company. The stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol PFE.
Pfizer Acquisitions
Pfizer has grown through strategic acquisitions that expanded its drug portfolio and research capabilities. The company’s acquisition strategy focuses on adding promising medicines and entering new therapeutic areas. These deals transformed Pfizer from a chemical manufacturer into a global pharmaceutical leader.
The Warner-Lambert acquisition in 2000 marked a turning point. Pfizer paid $90 billion to gain full ownership of Lipitor, the best-selling drug in history. This deal established Pfizer as a dominant force in cardiovascular medicine. Two years later, Pfizer acquired Pharmacia for $60 billion, adding drugs for impotence, arthritis, and depression.
The $68 billion Wyeth acquisition in 2009 diversified Pfizer beyond small molecules into biologics and vaccines. This deal brought the Prevnar pneumonia vaccine and expanded the company’s presence in emerging markets. Wyeth’s vaccine expertise later proved valuable when Pfizer developed its COVID-19 vaccine with BioNTech.
Pfizer acquired Hospira for $17 billion in 2015 to enter the biosimilars and sterile injectables market. Medivation followed in 2016 for $14 billion, adding the prostate cancer drug Xtandi. Array BioPharma came in 2019 for $11.4 billion, strengthening Pfizer’s targeted cancer therapy pipeline. These oncology acquisitions reflected Pfizer’s strategic shift toward cancer treatments.
The Seagen acquisition in 2023 for $43 billion represented Pfizer’s largest oncology investment. Seagen’s antibody-drug conjugate technology positions Pfizer as a leader in next-generation cancer treatments. In 2025, Pfizer announced plans to acquire Metsera for up to $10 billion to expand its weight-loss drug portfolio. You can learn how other pharmaceutical giants like Novartis and Sanofi have pursued similar acquisition strategies.
Pfizer Competitors
Pfizer operates in a competitive pharmaceutical landscape alongside global healthcare companies. The company faces competition from both large pharmaceutical firms and specialized biotechnology companies. Major competitors like Merck & Co. and AstraZeneca compete directly in oncology and vaccines.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson | United States | Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer health |
| Roche Holding AG | Switzerland | Oncology, diagnostics, immunology |
| Merck & Co. | United States | Oncology, vaccines, infectious diseases |
| Novartis AG | Switzerland | Oncology, neuroscience, cardiology |
| AstraZeneca plc | United Kingdom | Oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory |
| Sanofi S.A. | France | Vaccines, immunology, rare diseases |
| GlaxoSmithKline plc | United Kingdom | Vaccines, respiratory, HIV treatments |
| AbbVie Inc. | United States | Immunology, oncology, neuroscience |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb | United States | Oncology, cardiovascular, immunology |
| Moderna Inc. | United States | mRNA vaccines, infectious diseases |
FAQs
What is Pfizer known for?
Pfizer produces medicines and vaccines for immunology, oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Its notable products include Eliquis, Prevnar vaccines, Viagra, Lipitor, and the COVID-19 vaccine developed with BioNTech.
Who founded Pfizer and when?
Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart founded Pfizer in 1849 in Brooklyn, New York. Both were German immigrants who partnered to produce chemical compounds and medicines.
Where is Pfizer headquarters located?
Pfizer is headquartered at The Spiral building in Manhattan, New York City. The company maintains research facilities and manufacturing operations in dozens of countries worldwide.
What was Pfizer’s role in World War II?
Pfizer became the world’s largest producer of penicillin during World War II. Using deep-tank fermentation, Pfizer supplied most of the penicillin used by Allied forces on D-Day.
What is Pfizer’s largest acquisition?
Pfizer’s largest acquisition was Warner-Lambert for $90 billion in 2000. This deal gave Pfizer full ownership of Lipitor, which became the best-selling drug in pharmaceutical history.
