Pfizer research head ‘to resign this year’

Pfizer has announced that John LaMattina, president of global research and development at the company, will resign by the end of 2007, with the firm initiating an internal and external search for his replacement.

Dr LaMattina will remain in his role until the end of the year to facilitate a smooth transition to his successor.

The company reports that Dr LaMattina felt the appropriate juncture had been reached to leave the firm following the development of a number of drug candidates in early and middle stages of its research and development pipeline.

Pfizer recently announced a range of proposals at its analyst meeting on January 22nd 2007, including a consolidation of a number of its sites, with the firm reporting “good progress” in realising these efforts, with many staff at its Ann Arbor facility agreeing to relocate.

Jeffrey B Kindler, chairman and chief executive officer of the firm, said: “During John’s tenure we have grown our pipeline in oncology while substantially increasing our investment in biologics and vaccines.”

He added that it is in these areas where the company sees chances to combine new technologies with its scientific expertise, while it is poised to deliver new cancer treatments following the striking development of its oncology segment over the past decade.

Mr Kindler was elected as chairman of Pfizer in December 2006, replacing the outgoing Hank McKinnell in the role.