GSK vs Pfizer: Founders, CEOs and History
GSK was founded in 1715 by Silvanus Bevan, Joseph Nathan, John K. Smith and is led by Luke Miels. Pfizer was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart and is led by Albert Bourla.
Company facts
Founders
GSK
Silvanus Bevan
Silvanus Bevan was a Quaker apothecary who opened a pharmacy at Plough Court in the City of London in 1715. The business later became Allen & Hanburys, a respiratory-medicine specialist that Glaxo acquired in 1958, which is why GSK dates its history to 1715.
Joseph Nathan
Joseph Nathan emigrated from London to New Zealand and founded a general trading business in Wellington. In 1904 the firm began producing dried milk at Bunnythorpe and sold it as baby food under the Glaxo name.
John K. Smith
John K. Smith opened a drugstore in Philadelphia in 1830. Mahlon Kline joined the business as a bookkeeper in 1865, it became Smith, Kline & Co. in 1875, and Smith, Kline & French after acquiring French, Richards & Co. in 1891.
Mahlon Kline
Mahlon Kline joined John K. Smith's Philadelphia drug business as a bookkeeper in 1865 and became a partner as it grew into a wholesale and manufacturing company, renamed Smith, Kline & Co. in 1875.
Henry Wellcome
Henry Wellcome was a US-born pharmacist who co-founded Burroughs Wellcome & Co. with Silas Burroughs in London in 1880. The company popularised compressed tablets under the 'Tabloid' trademark and later funded major research laboratories.
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
GSK
- Jean-Pierre Garnier2000–2008
Former Chief Executive Officer
Garnier executed one of the largest corporate mergers in pharmaceutical history, effectively creating the modern GSK conglomerate.
Source - Andrew Witty2008–2017
Former Chief Executive Officer
Witty provided steady leadership during a period of significant macroeconomic volatility following the 2008 financial crisis.
Source - Emma Walmsley2017–2025
Former Chief Executive Officer
Walmsley modernized a sprawling, inefficient corporate giant, transforming GSK into a focused, agile biopharmaceutical enterprise.
Source - Luke Miels2026–present
Chief Executive Officer
Joined GSK in 2017 as President of Global Pharmaceuticals and later served as Chief Commercial Officer before succeeding Emma Walmsley on January 1, 2026.
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: GSK and Pfizer side by side
1715GSK
Silvanus Bevan opens Plough Court pharmacy
Silvanus Bevan opens a pharmacy at Plough Court in London, the business that later became Allen & Hanburys and GSK's oldest root.
1830GSK
John K. Smith opens a Philadelphia drugstore
John K. Smith's Philadelphia drugstore is the start of the business that became Smith, Kline & French.
1849Pfizer
Pfizer Founded
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company in Brooklyn.
1880GSK
Burroughs Wellcome & Co. founded
Henry Wellcome and Silas Burroughs found Burroughs Wellcome & Co. in London.
1904GSK
Glaxo dried milk launched in New Zealand
Joseph Nathan & Co. begins producing dried milk at Bunnythorpe, New Zealand, sold under the Glaxo name.
1944Pfizer
Penicillin Scale-Up
Pfizer helped industrialize penicillin production during World War II.
1958GSK
Glaxo acquires Allen & Hanburys
Glaxo buys Allen & Hanburys, bringing the Plough Court lineage and a respiratory business into the group.
1995GSK
Glaxo merges with Wellcome
Glaxo acquires Wellcome plc to form Glaxo Wellcome.
2000GSK
GlaxoSmithKline formed
Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham merge in December 2000 to create GlaxoSmithKline, headquartered in the UK.
2000Pfizer
Warner-Lambert Deal
Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert, adding Lipitor.
2015GSK
Consumer healthcare joint venture with Novartis
GSK and Novartis combine their consumer health businesses in a joint venture majority-owned by GSK, as part of an asset swap in which GSK sold its oncology portfolio to Novartis.
2017GSK
Shingrix approved; Emma Walmsley becomes CEO
Emma Walmsley becomes CEO in April 2017, and the FDA approves the Shingrix shingles vaccine in October 2017.
2020Pfizer
BioNTech COVID Vaccine Partnership
Pfizer and BioNTech brought Comirnaty through emergency authorization.
2022GSK
Haleon demerged
GSK demerges its consumer health business as Haleon plc in July 2022 and shortens its name to GSK plc.
2023GSK
Arexvy approved
The FDA approves Arexvy in May 2023 as the first RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 and older.
2023Pfizer
Seagen Acquisition
Pfizer completed the $43 billion Seagen acquisition.
2025GSK
Exdensur and Blenrep approved in the US
GSK wins US approvals including Blujepa (March), Blenrep (October) and the twice-yearly asthma biologic Exdensur (December 2025).
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.
2026GSK
Luke Miels becomes CEO
Luke Miels succeeds Emma Walmsley as Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2026.
2026GSK
Nuvalent acquisition completed
GSK completes its $10.6 billion acquisition of Nuvalent in July 2026, adding the lung-cancer drugs Jideytro and neladalkib.
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
GSK
- Nuvalent2026$10.6B
- efimosfermin alfa (from Boston Pharmaceuticals)2025$1.2B
- IDRx2025$1B
- Sierra Oncology2022$1.9B
Pfizer
- Metsera, Inc.2025$7B
- Seagen Inc.2023$43B
- Medivation Inc.2016$14B
- Wyeth2009$68B
- Pharmacia Corporation2003$60B
- Warner-Lambert Company2000$111B
Questions about GSK vs Pfizer
Who is the CEO of GSK plc and Pfizer Inc.?
GSK plc is led by Luke Miels 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 GSK plc founded vs Pfizer Inc.?
GSK plc was founded in 1715 — 134 years before Pfizer Inc., which was founded in 1849. GSK plc's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Pfizer Inc..
How many employees does GSK plc have compared to Pfizer Inc.?
GSK plc employs approximately 66,800 people, while Pfizer Inc. employs approximately 75,000. Pfizer Inc. has the larger workforce at 75,000 employees, compared to GSK plc's 66,800. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are GSK plc and Pfizer Inc. headquartered?
GSK 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 GSK plc and Pfizer Inc.?
GSK plc was founded by Silvanus Bevan, Joseph Nathan, John K. Smith, Mahlon Kline, Henry Wellcome. Pfizer Inc. was founded by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart.
Which company has a longer operating history — GSK plc or Pfizer Inc.?
GSK plc has been operating for approximately 311 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Pfizer Inc. has been in operation for around 177 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 GSK vs Pfizer overview