Pfizer has appointed Chris Boshoff as its new chief of research and development, effective January 1. Boshoff, who previously led the company"s cancer research and marketing, takes over from Mikael Dolsten, who stepped down after over 15 years. This leadership change comes amid pressure from activist investor Starboard and a decline in sales of Pfizer"s COVID-19 vaccine and antiviral Paxlovid, prompting a cost-cutting initiative.