Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical company at the forefront of medical innovation then and now. Pfizer company has gone through quite a journey and has gained especially big popularity since its COVID vaccine.
With a legacy spanning over a century, Pfizer has established itself as a leading force in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of life-saving treatments. We are very curious to see what is behind the wall. Starting from Pfizer history all the way to the most popular medical products and sustainability choices.
So in this article we would like to take a closer look at Pfizer company – its history, COVID vaccine, most popular products and not only.
Contents of the article are what follows:
- Short history of Pfizer company
- Pfizer today
- Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine
- Key Pfizer pharmaceutical products
- Pfizer company culture – fostering innovation and collaboration
- Sustainability of Pfizer – commitment to save the environment
Let’s get to it!
Short history of Pfizer company
Few businesses better define the term “pharma giant” than Pfizer. So, as curious as we are, firstly we would like to delve into one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world’s colorful history.
The beginning of appealing toffee flavored medicine
Pfizer got its start more than 150 years ago. It’s come a long way, evolving from a “one-stop-shop” to a multinational corporation.
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, two recent German immigrants to the USA, formed Pfizer. The two men, who were both in their mid-20s, used a loan from Pfizer’s father as cash to start what originally was a fine chemicals firm in a Brooklyn factory.
Pfizer and Erhart combined their expertise as chemists to create the company’s first product, an appealing anti-parasitic medicine with a toffee flavor. It was a success and established the direction for the business’s future growth.
Painkillers as a part of the American Civil War
The chaos of the American Civil War, which started soon after in 1862, had an effect on the developing pharmaceutical business just as much as it did on American society as a whole. Drug makers were just as much a part of the “first industrial war” as were weaponry makers.
The sudden demand for massive supplies of painkillers and antiseptics for the Union armies gave them, like their rival Squibb, a tremendous opportunity to increase production. Since the beginning of the war, Pfizer’s revenues had doubled, and its product offerings had grown significantly by 1868.
Erhart died in 1891, and Pfizer in 1906, leaving a company of around 200 employees in the hands of Emil Pfizer. He served as president until the 1940s, the last member of the Pfizer family to be involved in managing the company.
A new start for Pfizer
Pfizer expanded to eight new foreign locations in 1952. Additionally, the Agricultural Division, later known as Animal Health, was founded.
Over the years, Pfizer has purchased a number of different businesses. Pfizer generated billions thanks to the well-established research and drug development of several of these companies. One of these businesses was Warner-Lambert. It is Lipitor’s original manufacturer. In 2000, Warner-Lambert and Pfizer combined.
The history’s best-selling medication of all time, Lipitor, became so popular very soon. 2011 had a $9.6 billion revenue peak.
Pfizer today
Pfizer is a publicly-traded global pharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Its revenues reached $51.8 billion in 2019.
Of course Pfizer has had many triumphs over the years. For example, it discovered citric acid and it mass produces penicillin and vitamin C.
Pfizer makes Eliquis, Enbrel, EpiPen, Depo-Provera, Dimetapp, Neosporin, Xeljanz and Zithromax/Zmax. It specializes in vaccines and cancer, heart and diabetes treatments. It also makes medicines for disorders of the endocrine (hormones) and nervous systems.
The shareholder-owned company operates in 180 countries. Its research headquarters are in Groton, Connecticut. It employs more than 96,000 people worldwide.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine
Many of us know Pfizer as a vaccine option for the COVID pandemic we have all experienced a few years back. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Pfizer partnered with BioNTech in April 2020 to begin developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine was safe and had a 95% effectiveness rate, according to data from Phase 3 clinical trials, the manufacturer reported in November 2020. Two dosages are necessary, spaced 21 days apart.
“The trial results represent a significant milestone in the historic eight-month quest to develop a vaccine that can aid in putting an end to this dreadful pandemic. In a news statement, Dr. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, stated, “We continue to move at the pace of science to consolidate all the data collected to date and communicate with regulators across the world.
“We urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world because hundreds of thousands of people around the world contract the disease every day.”
Key Pfizer pharmaceutical products
Pfizer is the manufacturer and/or marketer of many well-known products. The list below includes some of the company’s most recognizable brands. It is not an exhaustive list.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) – a widely prescribed medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins and is effective in reducing the risk of heart-related complications in patients with high cholesterol.
Viagra (sildenafil) – a well-known medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It helps increase blood flow to the penis, allowing men to achieve and maintain an erection. Viagra has been a groundbreaking treatment and has significantly improved the quality of life for many individuals.
Xanax (alprazolam) – a commonly prescribed medication used to manage anxiety disorders and panic disorders. It belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines and works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain.
Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) – vaccine used to protect against pneumococcal infections caused by certain strains of bacteria. It is designed to prevent pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, particularly in infants, young children, and older adults.
Lyrica (pregabalin) – a medication approved for the treatment of various conditions, including neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and certain types of seizures. It works by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that contributes to these conditions.
Celebrex (celecoxib) – a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief and reduction of inflammation. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute pain.
More popular Pfizer products and brands:
- Nexium24HROver-the-counter heartburn drug,
- AdvilNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (pain reliever),
- ZoloftSSRI antidepressant,
- ChantixSmoking cessation drug,
- BextraCox-2 inhibitor (pain reliever),
- Depo-TestosteroneTestosterone replacement therapy drug,
- EpiPenAuto-injector emergency allergy medicine,
- ZithromaxMacrolide antibiotic (bacterial infections),
- EliquisAnticoagulant (blood thinner),
- ProtonixProton pump inhibitor acid-reducer,
- PremproHormone replacement drug therapy,
- EffexorSNRI antidepressant.
Now that you know more about Pfizer, the company created products and medications, let’s move on to their company culture and sustainability.
Pfizer company culture – fostering innovation and collaboration
First let’s start with company culture. Pfizer’s success surely can be attributed, in part, to its strong company culture.
In our research, it promotes mainly 2 traits:
- Innovation,
- Collaboration.
The company has created an environment where employees are encouraged to think outside the box. Pfizer recognizes that its employees are its greatest asset and actively invests in their development. That means providing great opportunities for training, mentorship, and career advancement. As a modern company should.
To start off, first we have innovation as a part of Pfizer company culture. Innovation is deeply embedded in Pfizer’s DNA, if we do say so ourselves. The company encourages employees to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and push the boundaries of scientific discovery. By fostering a culture of creativity and continuous learning, Pfizer empowers its workforce to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Collaboration is another fundamental aspect of Pfizer’s company culture. The company actively seeks partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and other industry leaders to leverage collective expertise and resources. This collaborative approach enables Pfizer to accelerate the development of new treatments.
If you would like to learn more, make sure to read an article on Pfizer company culture. We learned a lot from it!
Sustainability of Pfizer – commitment to save the environment
Another thing we found out is that Pfizer claims to recognize the importance of environmental sustainability. The brand is committed to minimizing its ecological footprint.
Here’s how.
One of Pfizer’s key sustainability goals is to minimize waste generation and optimize resource utilization. The company actively seeks ways to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions across its manufacturing facilities and supply chain. Also Pfizer strives to improve waste management by implementing recycling programs and reducing packaging waste. All very important tasks.
Furthermore, Pfizer invests in research and development to develop more sustainable pharmaceutical products and processes. The company aims to incorporate green chemistry principles into its drug development. That eventually involves minimizing the use of hazardous substances and designing products that are safer for both patients and the environment.
Overall Pfizer company experience seems to have gone on quite a ride through the years. From a small chemicals firm in a Brooklyn factory all the way to hundreds of products and billions of dollars in revenue.
We write about all kinds of big companies so take a look at Hydro Flask company culture and Apple company culture.
We hope this article was interesting to read!
