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Pfizer Shakes Up R&D Leadership, Streamlining Oncology Ahead Of Seagen Merger

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Chief development officer William Pao will depart the company in a sudden transition after being recruited from Roche. Pfizer insiders Chris Boshoff and Mikael Dolsten will fill the roles.

Exit door
William Pao is leaving Pfizer's R&D team • Source: Shutterstock

Pfizer Inc. revealed a sudden leadership transition on 27 July, announcing that chief development officer William Pao will leave the company after taking over clinical development oversight just over a year ago. Pfizer said the change is driven by an emphasis on oncology and the pending acquisition of Seagen Inc. , the big pharma actively recruited Pao from a major player in cancer drug development – Roche Holding AG – and he previously worked in academia as a cancer researcher.

Key Takeaways
  • R&D leader William Pao will leave Pfizer after only joining the company from Roche last year.
  • Pfizer insiders Chris Boshoff and Mikael Dolsten will step into expanded roles

Two experienced Pfizer executives are poised to fill in the gap, with oncology chief development officer Chris Boshoff promoted to EVP and chief oncology research and development officer, overseeing cancer drug research

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