Meet the Pfizer Executive Leadership Team: Mikael Dolsten

Meet the Pfizer Executive Leadership Team: Mikael Dolsten 

Mikael Dolsten is the President of Worldwide Research and Development, advancing Pfizer’s leadership in small molecule science and medicines, as well as its leadership, expertise, and innovation in the areas of biotherapeutics and vaccines. Worldwide R&D combines entrepreneurial Biotech Units with core platforms; Research Units with deep disease area expertise; and broad multi disciplinary scientific expertise to discover innovative therapeutic programs in biotherapeutics, vaccines and small molecules. Mikael is also co-chair of the company’s Portfolio Strategy and Investment (PSI) Committee, which governs major pipeline investments and strategic R&D priorities.

Pfizer scientists across WRD apply industry-leading scientific and technological expertise across a range of small molecule and biologic platforms and modalities. In a global network of research laboratories and clinical study sites, Pfizer R&D professionals and business unit colleagues focus on translating deep science into safe and effective drugs to prevent, treat and cure disease.

Mikael oversees all Pfizer research units and biotech units in PharmaTherapeutics and BioTherapeutics: Antibacterials; Cardiovascular, Metabolic & Endocrine Diseases; Internal Medicine; Neuroscience; Oncology; Pain & Sensory Disorders; Regenerative Medicine; Indications Discovery; Inflammation & Immunology; Orphan & Genetic Diseases; Center for Therapeutic Innovation; Vaccine R&D; CovX; Rinat; and Oligonucleotide Therapeutics.

WRD also includes these global science-based groups: Medicinal Chemistry; Drug Safety R&D; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics & Metabolism; Comparative Medicine; Clinical Research; Clinical Programs; Development Operations; Development & Strategic Operations; External R&D Innovation; Research Centers of Emphasis; and Asia R&D.

Previously, Mikael was President of BioTherapeutics R&D, responsible for driving Pfizer leadership, expertise, and innovation in biologic medicines and vaccines.

Prior to joining Pfizer in 2009, Mikael was Senior Vice President, Wyeth Inc., and President of Wyeth Research where he led scientists across the U.S., Europe and Asia in the research and development of small molecules, vaccines and protein-based medicines in Inflammation, Women’s Health, Neuroscience, Oncology, Infectious Diseases (vaccines, antibiotics), Hemophilia, GI and Musculoskeletal Diseases.

Before joining Wyeth, Mikael served as Executive Vice President within Pharmaceutical Research & Development / Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. He led pharmaceutical research in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, Austria and Japan – with programs in respiratory, inflammation / immunology, oncology, virology, cardiovascular, metabolism and CNS. He was a member of the BI corporate management team responsible for all worldwide development projects and licensing opportunities. Mikael’s earlier career included research leader positions with AstraZeneca, Pharmacia and Upjohn.

Mikael earned his Ph.D. in tumor immunology and M.D. from the University of Lund in Sweden. He also studied virology and cell biology at the Weizmann Institute in Israel and has been appointed as Adjunct Professor in Immunology at the Medical Faculty in Lund.

In July 2010, Mikael was elected a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He is an appointed Governor of the New York Academy of Sciences. A member of the Science and Regulatory Executive Committee of The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Mikael also serves on the PhRMA Foundation Board of Directors.

Mikael has published several patents and about 150 articles in international journals with particular contributions in areas such as molecular cell biology, immunology and oncology.

Source: Pfizer Press Releases – Meet Our Executives