Albert Bourla

Albert Bourla became Chief Executive Officer of pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer in 2019. In 2020, Bourla pushed for aggressive timelines in Pfizer's development of a possible vaccine against COVID-19. On December 11, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for the vaccine.

In his previous role, Bourla was Pfizer’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the company’s commercial strategy, manufacturing, and global product development functions. Prior to being named COO, Bourla was the Group President of Pfizer Innovative Health, responsible for the Inflammation & Immunology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Rare Disease, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare business groups. He also created the Patient and Health Impact group, dedicated to developing solutions for increasing patient access, demonstrating the value of our innovations and ensuring broader business model innovation.

Bourla has more than 25 years of experience with Pfizer and has held a number of senior global positions across a range of markets and disciplines, including Group President of Pfizer’s Global Vaccines, Oncology, and Consumer Healthcare business and President and General Manager of Pfizer’s Established Products business.

Bourla joined Pfizer’s Animal Health Division in 1993 as Technical Director of Greece. He held positions of increasing responsibility across Europe before moving to Pfizer Global Headquarters in New York in 2001 to assume the role of U.S. Group Marketing Director for Animal Health. In 2004, he became Vice President of Business Development and New Products Marketing; supervising Pfizer Animal Health global licensing and acquisition activities, as well as the unit’s R&D portfolio. In 2006, he was appointed Area President of Europe, Africa and Middle East, and in 2009, he assumed additional responsibilities for Asia and Pacific.

Bourla is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Ph.D. in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pfizer Inc., the Pfizer Foundation, and the Partnership for New York City.