CFO Dave Denton to leave Pfizer (NYSE: PFE); Guegan named interim finance chief
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Pfizer Inc. is announcing a planned Chief Financial Officer transition. Dave Denton will step down as CFO and leave Pfizer on August 15, 2026 to take a role in the consumer goods industry. The company states his departure is not related to Pfizer’s financial or operating results or any disagreements over financial, operational, accounting or reporting policies.
Pfizer has appointed Cecile Guegan, currently Senior Vice President, Finance, Global Biopharmaceutical Business, as Interim Chief Financial Officer effective August 16, 2026, while it conducts a comprehensive internal and external search for a permanent successor. Guegan, 55, has more than two decades at Pfizer and recently led finance for the global biopharmaceutical business and played a key role in integrating Seagen into Pfizer in 2024.
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Insights
Pfizer discloses a CFO change with an experienced internal interim successor.
Pfizer reports that CFO Dave Denton will leave on August 15, 2026 for a consumer goods role, and explicitly notes his departure is not tied to financial or operating issues or policy disagreements. This framing aims to limit concerns about underlying problems in the finance function.
The board has named long-time executive Cecile Guegan as Interim CFO effective August 16, 2026, while conducting an internal and external search. Her background overseeing finance for the global biopharmaceutical business and helping integrate Seagen into Pfizer in 2024 suggests continuity in financial oversight. Future company filings may clarify the timing and outcome of the permanent CFO search.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
CFO departure effective date: August 15, 2026
Interim CFO start date: August 16, 2026
Interim CFO age: 55 years
+3 more
6 metrics
CFO departure effective date
August 15, 2026
Dave Denton steps down as Chief Financial Officer
Interim CFO start date
August 16, 2026
Cecile Guegan becomes Interim Chief Financial Officer
Interim CFO age
55 years
Age of Cecile Guegan as disclosed
Tenure at Pfizer
Since 2005
Cecile Guegan joined Pfizer in 2005
Seagen integration year
2024
Guegan led finance aspects of Seagen integration
Years in operation
Over 175 years
Pfizer’s history serving patients worldwide
Key Terms
Interim Chief Financial Officer, forward-looking information, business development transactions, risk factors
4 terms
Interim Chief Financial Officer financial
"will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective August 16, 2026"
An interim chief financial officer is a temporary leader responsible for managing a company's financial activities, such as budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, during a transitional period. Think of it as filling in for a key manager until a permanent replacement is found. For investors, this role is important because it ensures financial stability and clear guidance during times of change or uncertainty.
forward-looking information regulatory
"This release contains forward-looking information about, among other things, Pfizer’s growth potential, strategy"
Forward-looking information are predictions, plans, estimates or expectations about a company’s future performance, results or events, such as sales forecasts, project timelines, or anticipated costs. It matters to investors because these statements guide expectations but rely on assumptions and uncertain factors—like a weather forecast for a business—so investors should treat them as informed guesses rather than guarantees and consider the risks and possible changes behind the numbers.
business development transactions financial
"including the potential benefits of certain business development transactions that involve substantial risks and uncertainties"
risk factors regulatory
"in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”"
Risk factors are elements or conditions that could cause an investment's value to decrease or lead to potential losses. They are like warning signs or obstacles that can affect the success of an investment, making it uncertain or more unpredictable. Recognizing risk factors helps investors understand the possible challenges and make more informed decisions.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 18, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other | (Commission File | (I.R.S. Employer | ||||||
| jurisdiction of | Number) | Identification No.) | ||||||
| incorporation) | ||||||||
| (Zip Code) | ||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(212 ) 733-2323
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. | |||||||||||||
| On June 16, 2026, Dave Denton notified Pfizer Inc. (the “Company”) that he will step down from his current position as Chief Financial Officer effective August 15, 2026 for a professional opportunity outside of the pharmaceutical industry in consumer goods, and that his departure is not related to the Company’s financial or operating results or to any disagreements with the Company regarding the Company’s financial, operational, accounting or reporting policies or practices. In connection with Mr. Denton’s departure, the Company announced that Cecile Guegan, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Finance, Global Biopharmaceutical Business, will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective August 16, 2026, while the Company conducts a comprehensive process to identify Mr. Denton’s successor. Ms. Guegan, 55, joined Pfizer in 2005 and has served in her current role since 2022. Previously, Ms. Guegan served in various leadership roles within Pfizer’s finance organization, including as Vice President, Finance, Research & Development and Business Office from 2020 to 2022. A copy of the Company’s press release announcing Mr. Denton’s departure and Ms. Guegan’s interim appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herin. | ||||||||||||||
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
| (d) Exhibits | ||||||||
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | |||||||
99.1 | Press Release of Pfizer Inc. dated June 18, 2026 | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File--the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PFIZER INC. | ||||||||
| Dated: June 18, 2026 | By: | /s/ Margaret M. Madden | ||||||
| Margaret M. Madden | ||||||||
| Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary | ||||||||
| Chief Governance Counsel | ||||||||
 | |||||
Pfizer Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition
NEW YORK, June 18, 2026—Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that Dave Denton, Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his current role and leave the company on August 15 for a professional opportunity outside of the pharmaceutical industry in consumer goods, which he has accepted. The company has named Cecile Guegan, currently Senior Vice President, Finance, Global Biopharmaceutical Business, as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective August 16, while Pfizer conducts a comprehensive internal and external search. Dave and Cecile will work together to ensure a seamless transition.
“Dave has been a steady and trusted steward of Pfizer’s financial health, and we are grateful for his leadership, especially during some of the most important business transactions in our recent history, including Seagen, Biohaven, and Metsera, that will serve Pfizer well for years to come. We wish him the very best as he returns to the consumer goods industry,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Given Cecile’s deep institutional knowledge and financial acumen, I have every confidence in her ability to lead Pfizer's finance organization and keep us focused on what matters most — executing our strategy and delivering for patients and shareholders."
“It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside Albert for Pfizer, an iconic and purpose-driven company, during such a meaningful time in its history," said Dave Denton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Pfizer is in excellent hands, and I leave knowing the executive leadership team, now including Cecile as interim CFO, will continue to succeed and carry its important work forward."
Cecile brings more than two decades of experience at Pfizer, amassing deep global financial experience leading finance across a wide range of complex and strategic portfolios, research and development, and several regions. In her current role, she is directly responsible for the financial
operations and reporting of Pfizer’s biopharmaceutical business across all therapeutic areas and geographies. She has strong financial judgement and a proven track record of leading important enterprise initiatives, including the integration of Seagen into Pfizer in 2024. Cecile holds a Master in Business degree from Brest Business School.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For over 175 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on X at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
Disclosure Notice
The information contained in this release is as of June 18, 2026. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about, among other things, Pfizer’s growth potential, strategy, including the potential benefits of certain business development transactions that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of Pfizer’s business development transactions, including the possibility that the expected benefits from such transactions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the uncertainties inherent in business and financial planning, including, without limitation, risks related to Pfizer’s business and prospects, adverse
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developments in Pfizer’s markets, or adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets, regulatory environment, trade policies or economies generally; the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.
# # #
Media Contact:
PfizerMediaRelations@Pfizer.com
Investor Contact:
IR@Pfizer.com
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FAQ
Why is Pfizer (PFE) Chief Financial Officer Dave Denton leaving the company?
Dave Denton is leaving Pfizer to pursue a professional opportunity in the consumer goods industry. The company states his departure is not related to Pfizer’s financial or operating results or to any disagreements over financial, operational, accounting or reporting policies or practices.
When will Dave Denton step down as Pfizer (PFE) Chief Financial Officer?
Dave Denton will step down as Pfizer’s Chief Financial Officer on August 15, 2026. He and interim CFO-designate Cecile Guegan will work together to support a seamless transition ahead of her assuming the interim role effective August 16, 2026.
Who is Pfizer’s interim Chief Financial Officer after Dave Denton departs?
Pfizer has named Cecile Guegan as Interim Chief Financial Officer effective August 16, 2026. She is currently Senior Vice President, Finance, Global Biopharmaceutical Business and has more than two decades at Pfizer, including leading finance for complex portfolios and the Seagen integration in 2024.
Does Pfizer link Dave Denton’s departure to any financial or operational issues?
Pfizer states that Dave Denton’s departure is not related to its financial or operating results. The company also notes there are no disagreements with him regarding financial, operational, accounting or reporting policies or practices, indicating the move is framed as a career decision.
What experience does Cecile Guegan bring as Pfizer’s interim CFO?
Cecile Guegan brings more than twenty years at Pfizer and deep global finance experience. She currently oversees financial operations and reporting for Pfizer’s biopharmaceutical business and has led key initiatives, including integrating Seagen into Pfizer in 2024, demonstrating experience with large, complex transactions.