AstraZeneca vs Pfizer: Founders, CEOs and History
AstraZeneca was founded in 1999 by Sir David Barnes, Håkan Mogren and is led by Pascal Soriot. Pfizer was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart and is led by Albert Bourla.
Company facts
AstraZeneca
- Founded
- 1999
- Headquarters
- Cambridge, England
- Current CEO
- Pascal Soriot
- Employees
- 96,100
Pfizer
- Founded
- 1849
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Current CEO
- Albert Bourla
- Employees
- 75,000
Founders
AstraZeneca
Sir David Barnes
Sir David Barnes was chief executive of Zeneca Group plc, the company created when Imperial Chemical Industries demerged its pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and specialty chemicals businesses in 1993, and he led the Zeneca side of the negotiations that produced…
Håkan Mogren
Håkan Mogren was chief executive of Astra AB and negotiated the Swedish side of the 1999 merger with Zeneca Group alongside Sir David Barnes.
Pfizer
Charles Pfizer
Pfizer possesses a historic, immigrant founding story, rooted entirely in the rapid industrial expansion of 19th-century Brooklyn and defined by an effective, intensely meticulous German chemist and his ambitious confectioner cousin.
Charles Erhart
Charles Erhart's role in Pfizer's founding is less celebrated than his cousin's, partly because the company carries Charles Pfizer's name and partly because his commercial contributions were less visible than the scientific achievements that drove the company'…
CEOs and their tenures
AstraZeneca
- Tom McKillop1999–2006
Chief Executive Officer
McKillop led AstraZeneca from the 1999 merger through the Nexium launch and the first biotech acquisitions.
Source - David Brennan2006–2012
Chief Executive Officer
Brennan led AstraZeneca through the start of the patent cliff and favoured cost-cutting and share buybacks over pipeline investment.
Source - Pascal Soriot2012–present
Chief Executive Officer
Soriot took over a company whose revenue was falling toward $25.7 billion and has taken Total Revenue to $58.7 billion, with 16 blockbuster medicines.
Source
Pfizer
- Ian Read2010–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Pfizer from 2010 until December 31, 2018; Albert Bourla succeeded him as CEO on January 1, 2019.
Source - Albert Bourla2019–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
A veterinarian by training who joined Pfizer Animal Health in 1993, Bourla became CEO on January 1, 2019 and Chairman in 2020.
Source - Dave Denton2022–2026
Chief Financial Officer
Former CVS Health CFO who ran Pfizer finance through the Seagen financing and cost program, leaving on August 15, 2026 for a consumer goods company.
Source - Chris Boshoff2025–present
Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development
Former Chief Oncology Officer who took over all of Pfizer R&D effective January 1, 2025.
Source - Cecile Guegan2026–present
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Previously senior vice president of finance for Pfizer's global biopharmaceuticals business; became interim CFO after Dave Denton left on August 15, 2026.
Source
Timeline: AstraZeneca and Pfizer side by side
1849Pfizer
Pfizer Founded
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company in Brooklyn.
1913AstraZeneca
Astra AB Founded in Södertälje, Sweden
400 doctors and apothecaries establish Astra AB to manufacture pharmaceuticals for the Swedish market, creating the foundation for what would become one of Europe's largest drug companies.
1944Pfizer
Penicillin Scale-Up
Pfizer helped industrialize penicillin production during World War II.
1993AstraZeneca
Zeneca Group Spun Off from ICI
Imperial Chemical Industries demerges its pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals businesses to form Zeneca Group PLC, with initial products including Zestril, Nolvadex, and Zoladex generating approximately $3.2 billion in annual sales.
1999AstraZeneca
Astra and Zeneca Merge to Form AstraZeneca
The all-share merger of equals completes on 6 April 1999, creating AstraZeneca PLC.
2000AstraZeneca
Nexium Launch Replaces Prilosec
AstraZeneca launches Nexium (esomeprazole), the single-isomer successor to Losec/Prilosec, in Europe in 2000 and in the United States in 2001 after FDA approval on 20 February 2001.
2000Pfizer
Warner-Lambert Deal
Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert, adding Lipitor.
2006AstraZeneca
Acquisition of Cambridge Antibody Technology
AstraZeneca agrees in May 2006 to buy Cambridge Antibody Technology for 1,320 pence a share, valuing the UK biotech at 702 million pounds or about $1.32 billion.
2007AstraZeneca
Acquisition of MedImmune for $15.6 Billion
AstraZeneca acquires MedImmune for $15.6 billion, entering the biologics market and gaining the Synagis respiratory syncytial virus franchise and antibody technology platforms. The Gaithersburg facility becomes one of three global R&D centres.
2012AstraZeneca
Pascal Soriot Appointed CEO
Pascal Soriot joins AstraZeneca as Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2012, with a base salary of $1.4 million and a mandate to reverse declining revenue and R&D productivity through science-led investment.
2014AstraZeneca
Pfizer Hostile Takeover Rejected
AstraZeneca's board rejects a $117 billion hostile takeover offer from Pfizer, with Soriot arguing that the undervaluation would destroy long-term shareholder value and pipeline potential.
2014AstraZeneca
Acquisition of Almirall Respiratory Portfolio
AstraZeneca acquires the respiratory portfolio of Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall for approximately $2.1 billion, strengthening the company's position in COPD and asthma with products including Eklira and pipeline candidates that become Breztri.
2015AstraZeneca
Tagrisso Approved for EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer
The FDA approves Tagrisso (osimertinib) in November 2015 for metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, the first product from Soriot's reinvestment strategy to reach market.
2017AstraZeneca
Imfinzi Approved Based on PACIFIC Trial
The FDA approves Imfinzi (durvalumab) for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer after chemoradiation, based on PACIFIC trial data showing survival benefits.
2020AstraZeneca
COVID-19 Vaccine Development with Oxford University
AstraZeneca partners with the University of Oxford to develop and manufacture the Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine, distributing billions of doses globally at nonprofit pricing during the pandemic peak.
2020Pfizer
BioNTech COVID Vaccine Partnership
Pfizer and BioNTech brought Comirnaty through emergency authorization.
2021AstraZeneca
Acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals for $39 Billion
AstraZeneca completes the $39 billion acquisition of Alexion on July 21, 2021, entering the rare disease market with Soliris and Ultomiris and creating a dedicated rare disease unit headquartered in Boston.
2023AstraZeneca
CinCor Pharma Acquired for up to $1.8 Billion
AstraZeneca agrees on 9 January 2023 to acquire CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion, $26 per share in cash plus a $10 per share contingent value right, to gain baxdrostat, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor for resistant hypertension.
2023Pfizer
Seagen Acquisition
Pfizer completed the $43 billion Seagen acquisition.
2024AstraZeneca
Total Revenue Reaches $54.073 Billion
AstraZeneca reports Total Revenue of $54.073 billion for fiscal year 2024, an 18% increase at actual rates and 21% at constant exchange rates, with 16 blockbuster medicines, 74 regulatory events, and 24 pipeline progression events.
2024AstraZeneca
Fusion Pharmaceuticals and Gracell Acquisitions
AstraZeneca acquires Fusion Pharmaceuticals for $2 billion to access radiopharmaceutical technology and Gracell Biotechnologies for $1.2 billion for cell therapy manufacturing, expanding modality diversity into radiopharmaceuticals and CAR-T.
2025AstraZeneca
Total Revenue Reaches $58.739 Billion
AstraZeneca reports Total Revenue of $58.739 billion for fiscal year 2025, an 8% increase at constant exchange rates, with 16 positive Phase III readouts, 43 major market approvals, and a commitment to invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing by 2030.
2025AstraZeneca
EsoBiotec Acquired for Up to $1 Billion
AstraZeneca acquires Belgian biotech EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion to access in vivo cell therapy technology, eliminating the need for ex vivo manufacturing in CAR-T therapies.
2025AstraZeneca
$50 Billion US Manufacturing and R&D Commitment
AstraZeneca announces on 21 July 2025 that it will invest $50 billion in United States manufacturing and research by 2030, including a new Virginia facility later raised to $4.5 billion.
2025Pfizer
Chris Boshoff Becomes CSO
Chris Boshoff became Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development effective January 1, 2025.
2025Pfizer
Metsera Acquisition
Pfizer completed its acquisition of obesity drug developer Metsera in November 2025 for up to about $10 billion including CVRs.
2025Pfizer
FY2025 Revenue Base
Pfizer reported $62.579 billion of FY2025 revenue.
2026AstraZeneca
Ordinary Shares Begin Trading on the NYSE
AstraZeneca ordinary shares start trading on the New York Stock Exchange on 2 February 2026 under the ticker AZN, after the American Depositary Share programme and certain debt securities stopped trading on Nasdaq on 30 January 2026.
2026AstraZeneca
Baxfendy Approved in the US for Hypertension
The FDA approves Baxfendy (baxdrostat) in May 2026 as the first aldosterone synthase inhibitor for hypertension, used in combination with other antihypertensives in adults who are not adequately controlled.
2026AstraZeneca
$15 Billion China Investment Through 2030
AstraZeneca announces on 29 January 2026 that it will invest $15 billion in China through 2030 to expand manufacturing and research, in a market that is its second largest and about 12% of revenue.
2026Pfizer
Innovent Oncology Collaboration
Pfizer signed a 12-program cancer collaboration with Innovent Biologics: $650 million upfront and up to $9.85 billion in milestones.
Acquisitions
AstraZeneca
- EsoBiotec2025$1B
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals2024$2B
- Gracell Biotechnologies2024$1.2B
- CinCor Pharma2023$1.8B
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals2021$39B
- Almirall Respiratory Portfolio2014$2.1B
Pfizer
- Metsera, Inc.2025$7B
- Seagen Inc.2023$43B
- Medivation Inc.2016$14B
- Wyeth2009$68B
- Pharmacia Corporation2003$60B
- Warner-Lambert Company2000$111B
Questions about AstraZeneca vs Pfizer
Who is the CEO of AstraZeneca PLC and Pfizer Inc.?
AstraZeneca PLC is led by Pascal Soriot and Pfizer Inc. is led by Albert Bourla. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was AstraZeneca PLC founded vs Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 — 150 years before AstraZeneca PLC, which was founded in 1999. Pfizer Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger AstraZeneca PLC.
How many employees does AstraZeneca PLC have compared to Pfizer Inc.?
AstraZeneca PLC employs approximately 96,100 people, while Pfizer Inc. employs approximately 75,000. AstraZeneca PLC has the larger workforce at 96,100 employees, compared to Pfizer Inc.'s 75,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are AstraZeneca PLC and Pfizer Inc. headquartered?
AstraZeneca PLC is headquartered in United Kingdom and Pfizer Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded AstraZeneca PLC and Pfizer Inc.?
AstraZeneca PLC was founded by Sir David Barnes, Håkan Mogren. Pfizer Inc. was founded by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart.
Which company has a longer operating history — AstraZeneca PLC or Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. has been operating for approximately 177 years, making it the more established of the two companies. AstraZeneca PLC has been in operation for around 27 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the AstraZeneca vs Pfizer overview