Company Description
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is a global biopharmaceutical company in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry. According to its public communications, Pfizer applies science and global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives, with a focus on innovative medicines and vaccines. The company describes itself as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies and emphasizes quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products.
Pfizer’s business is built around researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing prescription drugs, vaccines and other health care products. The firm notes that it works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures for serious diseases. Historically, as reflected in third-party descriptions, prescription drugs and vaccines account for the majority of Pfizer’s sales, and the company has marketed major products in cardiology and vaccines.
Pfizer’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PFE. The company is incorporated as Pfizer Inc. and lists its principal offices in New York, New York in its SEC filings. It has been paying quarterly cash dividends for many decades, and its board of directors has continued to approve regular quarterly dividends on its common stock.
Therapeutic focus and product examples
Pfizer’s portfolio and pipeline span multiple therapeutic areas. Based on recent company announcements, oncology is a significant area of focus. Pfizer reports positive clinical data for BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) combinations in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, where the BREAKWATER Phase 3 trial evaluates BRAFTOVI with cetuximab and chemotherapy backbones such as mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI. The company highlights improved objective response rates versus standard-of-care regimens in certain cohorts of this study.
Pfizer also co-develops and co-commercializes PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin) with Astellas in bladder cancer. Recent Phase 3 EV-304 (KEYNOTE‑B15) results showed that PADCEV plus pembrolizumab improved event-free survival and overall survival compared with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients eligible for cisplatin. PADCEV plus pembrolizumab is already approved in several urothelial cancer settings, and Pfizer and Astellas are exploring its use in earlier-stage disease.
In breast cancer, Pfizer markets TUKYSA (tucatinib), an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor of HER2. The company reports that TUKYSA, in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine, is approved for adults with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received prior anti‑HER2 therapy in the metastatic setting. New Phase 3 HER2CLIMB‑05 data show that adding TUKYSA to trastuzumab and pertuzumab as first-line maintenance therapy extended median progression-free survival compared with trastuzumab and pertuzumab alone.
Beyond oncology, Pfizer is expanding in cardiometabolic and obesity-related diseases. The company has entered into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement with YaoPharma, a subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical, for YP05002, a small-molecule GLP‑1 receptor agonist in Phase 1 development for chronic weight management. Pfizer states that cardiometabolic research is a strategic priority and that YP05002 is intended to complement its growing portfolio of candidates for treating obesity and adjacent diseases.
Vaccines and historical product mix
Third-party reference data indicate that Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms by sales and that prescription drugs and vaccines account for the majority of its revenue. Historically, top sellers have included the pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13 and cardiology drugs such as Vyndaqel and Eliquis. These sources also note that Pfizer sells its products globally and that international markets, including emerging markets, represent a significant portion of its revenue base.
Research, development and clinical trials
Pfizer emphasizes research and development as central to its business model. The company sponsors large, randomized Phase 3 trials such as BREAKWATER in metastatic colorectal cancer, EV‑303 and EV‑304 in urothelial and muscle‑invasive bladder cancer, and HER2CLIMB‑05 in HER2‑positive metastatic breast cancer. These trials evaluate combinations of Pfizer medicines with other agents, including targeted therapies, antibody‑drug conjugates and immunotherapies, and often use endpoints such as objective response rate, progression‑free survival, event‑free survival and overall survival.
The company also highlights efforts to make scientific information more accessible. For example, Pfizer notes that it develops abstract plain language summaries for company‑sponsored research presented at scientific meetings, written in non‑technical language for non‑scientists.
Collaborations, licensing and acquisitions
Pfizer’s SEC filings and press releases show that collaborations, licensing agreements and acquisitions are important to its growth strategy. In addition to the collaboration with YaoPharma for YP05002, Pfizer has completed the acquisition of Metsera, Inc., a company developing injectable GLP‑1 receptor antagonists and amylin analog combinations for obesity and related conditions. Under the Metsera merger agreement, Pfizer acquired Metsera for cash consideration and contingent value rights tied to specific clinical and regulatory milestones for Metsera’s GLP‑1‑based programs.
Pfizer also collaborates with other pharmaceutical companies, such as Astellas in the development and commercialization of PADCEV. These partnerships allow Pfizer to share development responsibilities, expand its product portfolio and reach broader patient populations.
Capital markets, financing and dividends
Pfizer is an active issuer in the capital markets. Recent Form 8‑K filings describe public offerings of multiple series of notes with varying maturities and interest rates, issued under an existing shelf registration statement and indenture. These transactions illustrate how Pfizer raises long‑term capital to support its operations, research programs and acquisitions.
The company also issues financial guidance and performance updates. In a recent press release furnished to the SEC, Pfizer provided full‑year revenue and adjusted diluted EPS guidance, discussed expected contributions from COVID‑19 products and the impact of loss of exclusivity for certain products, and outlined anticipated selling, informational and administrative (SI&A) and R&D expense ranges. The company regularly hosts conference calls and webcasts with analysts and investors to discuss quarterly results and forward-looking guidance.
Pfizer’s board of directors has declared ongoing quarterly cash dividends on the company’s common stock. A recent announcement described a first‑quarter 2026 dividend and noted that this payment represents the 349th consecutive quarterly dividend, underscoring a long history of returning capital to shareholders through dividends.
Legal, regulatory and safety considerations
As a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, Pfizer is involved in regulatory processes and litigation related to its products. For example, the company is the manufacturer of the contraceptive injection Depo‑Provera (DMPA), which is the subject of multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3140) in the United States. Lawsuits allege a link between Depo‑Provera and intracranial meningioma and claim that Pfizer did not adequately warn about this risk. A recent case management conference set a trial date in December 2026, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a warning label change adding a brain tumor warning for Depo‑Provera.
Pfizer’s product communications include extensive safety information and warnings for its medicines. For BRAFTOVI, the company describes risks such as new primary malignancies, tumor promotion in BRAF wild‑type tumors, cardiomyopathy, hepatotoxicity, hemorrhage, uveitis, QT prolongation, embryo‑fetal toxicity and risks associated with combination treatment. For PADCEV, the boxed warning highlights serious skin reactions including Stevens‑Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and the company details risks such as hyperglycemia, pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease and other adverse events. For TUKYSA, Pfizer outlines risks including severe diarrhea, hepatotoxicity and embryo‑fetal toxicity, along with common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities.
These safety profiles reflect the regulatory requirement to disclose known and potential risks associated with therapy and illustrate the complexity of benefit‑risk assessment in oncology and other serious diseases.
Corporate communications and investor relations
Pfizer routinely communicates with investors and the public through press releases, webcasts and conference presentations. The company invites investors and the general public to listen to webcasts of discussions at healthcare conferences and earnings calls, and it makes transcripts and replays available for extended periods. Pfizer notes that it routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website and through social media channels.
In its own words, Pfizer’s overarching purpose is summarized as “Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives.” The company states that, consistent with its responsibilities as a major biopharmaceutical firm, it collaborates with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What does Pfizer Inc. do?
Pfizer Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of health care products, including prescription medicines and vaccines. The company focuses on therapies that extend and significantly improve patients’ lives. - In which industry does Pfizer operate?
Pfizer is classified in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry and operates within the broader manufacturing sector, producing medicines, vaccines and related health care products. - On which exchange is Pfizer stock listed and what is its ticker symbol?
Pfizer’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PFE. The company also has several series of notes listed on the NYSE. - What are some therapeutic areas where Pfizer is active?
Based on recent announcements, Pfizer is active in oncology (for example, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer and HER2‑positive metastatic breast cancer), vaccines, cardiometabolic and obesity‑related diseases, and women’s health, among other areas. - What are examples of Pfizer oncology products mentioned in recent communications?
Pfizer has discussed BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) in BRAF V600E‑mutant metastatic colorectal cancer, PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin) in urothelial and muscle‑invasive bladder cancer (in collaboration with Astellas), and TUKYSA (tucatinib) in HER2‑positive metastatic breast cancer. - How does Pfizer use collaborations and acquisitions in its business?
Pfizer enters into collaboration and license agreements, such as its exclusive global agreement with YaoPharma for the GLP‑1 receptor agonist YP05002, and it acquires companies like Metsera to expand its pipeline in areas such as obesity and cardiometabolic disease. - Does Pfizer pay dividends?
Yes. Pfizer’s board of directors has declared recurring quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. A recent announcement described a first‑quarter 2026 dividend and noted that it was the 349th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the company. - What legal or safety issues related to Pfizer products are highlighted in recent disclosures?
Recent news describes multidistrict litigation involving Depo‑Provera and intracranial meningioma, as well as detailed safety warnings and precautions for oncology products such as BRAFTOVI, PADCEV and TUKYSA, including risks of serious skin reactions, hepatotoxicity, cardiomyopathy, hemorrhage, pneumonitis and other adverse events. - How does Pfizer communicate with investors?
Pfizer issues press releases with financial guidance and quarterly results, files reports with the SEC, and hosts webcasts and conference calls with analysts. It also participates in major healthcare conferences and makes related webcasts and transcripts available to the public. - What is Pfizer’s stated purpose?
Pfizer describes its purpose as achieving “Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives,” emphasizing the use of science and global resources to develop therapies that extend and significantly improve life, while working with partners to expand access to health care worldwide.