Pfizer vs Roche: Founders, CEOs and History
Pfizer was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart and is led by Albert Bourla. Roche was founded in 1896 by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche and is led by Thomas Schinecker.
Company facts
Founders
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'…
Roche
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche (1868-1920) founded F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. in Basel on 1 October 1896, at age 28.
CEOs and their tenures
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
Roche
- Severin Schwan2008–2023
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2008 to 2023, he cemented Roche's absolute dominance in global oncology and highly advanced diagnostics before moving to Chairman of the Board.
Source - Thomas Schinecker2023–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under Schinecker, Roche returned to growth after the COVID testing decline: 2025 sales rose 7% at constant rates to ~$73.8 billion (CHF 61.5 billion) and 12 late-stage studies read out positively that year.
Source
Timeline: Pfizer and Roche side by side
1849Pfizer
Pfizer Founded
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company in Brooklyn.
1896Roche
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Founded in Basel
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche founds the enterprise in Basel, Switzerland, pioneering mass-manufactured, chemically standardized prescription pharmaceuticals.
1898Roche
Commercial Breakthrough with Sirolin
Roche launches non-prescription cough syrup Sirolin, achieving widespread international distribution and financing early clinical laboratories.
1934Roche
First Industrial Synthesis of Vitamin C
Roche becomes the first company to mass-produce synthetic Vitamin C (Redoxon) at industrial scale, anchoring decades of high-margin global cash flow.
1944Pfizer
Penicillin Scale-Up
Pfizer helped industrialize penicillin production during World War II.
1963Roche
Launch of Valium (Diazepam)
Roche introduces Valium, which becomes the world's most widely prescribed psychotropic medication and establishes global pharmaceutical leadership.
1968Roche
Establishment of Roche Diagnostics
Roche launches its dedicated diagnostic division, laying the foundation to become the world's preeminent in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) provider.
1998Pfizer
Viagra Approved
The FDA approved Viagra in 1998.
2000Pfizer
Warner-Lambert Deal
Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert, adding Lipitor.
2008Roche
Severin Schwan becomes CEO
Severin Schwan became CEO of F. Hoffmann-La Roche in 2008. Led Roche for 14 years; handed over to Thomas Schinecker in March 2023 and became chairman.
2009Roche
Full Acquisition of Genentech for $46.8 Billion
Roche completes its historic $46.8 billion buyout of American biotechnology pioneer Genentech, securing market leadership in oncology biologics.
2018Roche
Foundation Medicine & Flatiron Health Acquisitions
Roche acquires Foundation Medicine and Flatiron Health, integrating real-world oncology data analytics and genomic profiling into personalized healthcare.
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.
2023Pfizer
Seagen Acquisition
Pfizer completed the $43 billion Seagen acquisition.
2023Roche
Acquired Telavant
F. Hoffmann-La Roche acquired Telavant for $7.1 billion. Roche paid $7.1 billion upfront for Telavant to gain US and Japan rights to the anti-TL1A antibody RVT-3101 (afimkibart) for inflammatory bowel disease.
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.
2025Roche
Group Sales Reach CHF 61.5 Billion
Under CEO Thomas Schinecker, Roche delivers group sales of ~$73.8 billion (CHF 61.5 billion), driven by ~$57.2B (CHF 47.7B) in Pharmaceuticals and ~$16.6B (CHF 13.8B) in Diagnostics.
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
Pfizer
- Metsera, Inc.2025$7B
- Seagen Inc.2023$43B
- Medivation Inc.2016$14B
- Wyeth2009$68B
- Pharmacia Corporation2003$60B
- Warner-Lambert Company2000$111B
Roche
- PathAI2026$1.1B
- 89bio2025$3.5B
- Telavant2023$7.1B
- Carmot Therapeutics2023$2.7B
- Foundation Medicine2018$2.4B
- ForSight VISION42017Undisclosed
Questions about Pfizer vs Roche
Who is the CEO of Pfizer Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG?
Pfizer Inc. is led by Albert Bourla and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is led by Thomas Schinecker. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Pfizer Inc. founded vs F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG?
Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 — 47 years before F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, which was founded in 1896. Pfizer Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG.
How many employees does Pfizer Inc. have compared to F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG?
Pfizer Inc. employs approximately 75,000 people, while F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG employs approximately 112,774. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG has the larger workforce at 112,774 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 Pfizer Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG headquartered?
Pfizer Inc. is headquartered in United States and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is headquartered in Switzerland. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Pfizer Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG?
Pfizer Inc. was founded by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG was founded by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche.
Which company has a longer operating history — Pfizer Inc. or F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG?
Pfizer Inc. has been operating for approximately 177 years, making it the more established of the two companies. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG has been in operation for around 130 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 Pfizer vs Roche overview