Pfizer Welcomes Back Former FDA Leader Patrizia Cavazzoni as CMO and EVP to Drive Drug Development

On February 24, Pfizer announced that former FDA drug chief Patrizia Cavazzoni is rejoining the company as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President. In her new role, she will lead Pfizer's medical functions, including regulatory affairs, drug safety, epidemiology, and evidence generation, reporting directly to Dr. Chris Boshoff, Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D. Cavazzoni takes over from Aida Habtezion, who is leaving Pfizer to pursue other opportunities.

Cavazzoni brings over 25 years of experience in clinical development, drug safety, and regulatory affairs. During her tenure at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), she oversaw a record number of new drug approvals, including 55 in 2023 and 50 in 2024, among which was Eli Lilly's Alzheimer’s treatment Kisunla (donanemab-azbt).

Before her time at the FDA, Cavazzoni spent nearly eight years at Pfizer in various senior roles, including head of clinical science and operations. She joined the FDA in 2019 as Acting Deputy Commissioner and was officially appointed as CDER Director in 2021. Her career also includes significant roles at Eli Lilly and a brief tenure at Sanofi.