Eli Lilly vs Pfizer: Founders, CEOs and History
Eli Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly and is led by David A. Ricks. Pfizer was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart and is led by Albert Bourla.
Company facts
Founders
Eli Lilly
Colonel Eli Lilly
Following his military service and early experiences in the apothecary trade, Lilly worked in various pharmaceutical and business ventures, eventually amassing enough capital to strike out on his own.
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
Eli Lilly
- Randall L. Tobias1993–1998
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Lilly launched Zyprexa and Humalog under him. Sidney Taurel succeeded him in 1998.
Source - Sidney Taurel1998–2008
Former Chair and CEO
Taurel's focus on targeted, personalized medicine anticipated the future direction of the pharmaceutical industry, shifting the company's research paradigm toward more precise and effective treatments.
Source - John C. Lechleiter2008–2016
Chairman, President and CEO
Lilly restructured and launched new products during his tenure. David Ricks became chief executive in 2017.
Source - David A. Ricks2017–present
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Ricks's aggressive restructuring and cultural overhaul have been widely credited with revitalizing Eli Lilly's pipeline and driving a notable period of financial growth and market capitalization expansion.
Source
Pfizer
- Ian Read2010–2018
Chief Executive Officer
He ruthlessly cut R&D spending and eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, significantly boosting short-term earnings per share despite massive patent cliffs for blockbuster drugs like Lipitor.
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
As CFO, he aggressively restructured the balance sheet following the Seagen acquisition, prioritizing debt reduction while defending the dividend.
Source - Chris Boshoff2025–present
Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development
He completely restructured the research and development organization to focus on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), aggressively expanding Pfizer's pipeline of cancer therapeutics.
Source - Cecile Guegan2026–present
Interim Chief Financial Officer
She modernized the company's internal auditing and compliance structures, ensuring rapid but safe clinical execution for high-priority vaccine programs.
Source
Timeline: Eli Lilly and Pfizer side by side
1849Pfizer
Pfizer Founded
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company in Brooklyn.
1876Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly Founded
Colonel Eli Lilly founds the company in Indianapolis.
1923Eli Lilly
Insulin Commercialization
Lilly helps commercialize insulin at industrial scale, shaping its long-term diabetes identity.
1944Pfizer
Penicillin Scale-Up
Pfizer helped industrialize penicillin production during World War II.
1950Eli Lilly
Antibiotic Expansion
The company expands through antibiotics and broader prescription medicines.
1982Eli Lilly
Humulin Approved
Lilly introduces Humulin, one of the first recombinant DNA human insulin products.
1998Pfizer
Viagra Approved
The FDA approved Viagra in 1998.
2000Pfizer
Warner-Lambert Deal
Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert, adding Lipitor.
2009Pfizer
Wyeth Acquired
Pfizer bought Wyeth in 2009 for about $68 billion.
2017Eli Lilly
David Ricks Becomes CEO
David A. Ricks becomes Chair, President, and CEO.
2019Eli Lilly
Loxo Oncology Acquired
Lilly bought the cancer-drug developer Loxo Oncology in 2019 for about $8 billion.
2019Pfizer
Albert Bourla becomes CEO
Albert Bourla became CEO of Pfizer in 2019. A veterinarian by training who joined Pfizer Animal Health in 1993, Bourla became CEO on January 1, 2019 and Chairman in 2020.
2020Pfizer
BioNTech COVID Vaccine Partnership
Pfizer and BioNTech brought Comirnaty through emergency authorization.
2022Eli Lilly
Mounjaro Approved
Mounjaro receives U.S. approval for type 2 diabetes, beginning a major growth cycle.
2023Eli Lilly
Zepbound Approved
Zepbound receives U.S. approval for chronic weight management.
2023Pfizer
Seagen Acquisition
Pfizer completed the $43 billion Seagen acquisition.
2025Eli Lilly
Revenue Reaches $65.179B
Lilly reports $65.179B in 2025 revenue and $20.640B in net income.
2025Eli Lilly
First $1 Trillion Drugmaker
Lilly's market value crosses $1 trillion on November 21, 2025, a first for a healthcare company.
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.
2026Eli Lilly
Foundayo Approved
FDA approves Foundayo (orforglipron), Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill for obesity, on April 1, 2026.
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
Eli Lilly
- Morphic Holding2024$3.2B
- POINT Biopharma2023$1.4B
- Prevail Therapeutics2021$1B
- Loxo Oncology2019$8B
- Elizabeth Arden1971Undisclosed
Pfizer
- Metsera, Inc.2025$7B
- Seagen Inc.2023$43B
- Medivation Inc.2016$14B
- Wyeth2009$68B
- Pharmacia Corporation2003$60B
- Warner-Lambert Company2000$111B
Questions about Eli Lilly vs Pfizer
Who is the CEO of Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Inc.?
Eli Lilly and Company is led by David A. Ricks 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 Eli Lilly and Company founded vs Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 — 27 years before Eli Lilly and Company, which was founded in 1876. Pfizer Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Eli Lilly and Company.
How many employees does Eli Lilly and Company have compared to Pfizer Inc.?
Eli Lilly and Company employs approximately 50,000 people, while Pfizer Inc. employs approximately 75,000. Pfizer Inc. has the larger workforce at 75,000 employees, compared to Eli Lilly and Company's 50,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Inc. headquartered?
Both Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Inc. are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Inc.?
Eli Lilly and Company was founded by Colonel Eli Lilly. Pfizer Inc. was founded by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart.
Which company has a longer operating history — Eli Lilly and Company or Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. has been operating for approximately 177 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Eli Lilly and Company has been in operation for around 150 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 Eli Lilly vs Pfizer overview