Viagra maker looks to new chief for revival
Here’s the Times UK take on the appointment of Jeffrey Kindler to CEO of Pfizer effective in 2007 with Hank McKinnell’s retirement. I know nothing about Mr. Kindler except what I’ve read recently. I’m sure he’s very talented and highly qualified to lead a large company. Still, I lament the decision to once again appoint a non-scientist, non-clinician to head the world’s largest therapeutics company. I know there are some people who continue to believe that scientists and physicians are too wishy-washy, too indecisive to lead the largest companies in the industry effectively. But recent experience, from Genentech to Novartis, argues otherwise. Pharma and biopharma companies are best led by individuals who understand the scientific and medical bases of their products well enough to create and champion their own visions for technological innovation. This has always been true, not just in Pharma but in every industry where technological innovations drive growth. Perhaps Pfizer’s Board is signaling that the giant’s next phase of growth will come from focusing on business-model innovation or lifecycle management more so than technological innovation?
