### Pfizer CEO to Meet with Activist Investor Starboard Value as Stock Struggles Continue

Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla is gearing up for a crucial meeting with the activist investment firm Starboard Value, which aims to address the pharmaceutical giant's lagging stock performance and reevaluate its strategic priorities. Starboard, under CEO Jeff Smith, has accumulated a $1 billion stake in Pfizer, representing approximately 0.6% of the company's $165 billion market value.

The highly anticipated meeting will include Bourla and at least one other Pfizer director. It follows a turbulent period for Pfizer, marked by a 30% decline in its stock value over the past two years, plunging it below pre-pandemic levels. Critics have pointed to what they perceive as mismanagement of Pfizer's $92 billion COVID-19 windfall, highlighting a $70 billion acquisition spree that has not substantially improved the company’s financial standing.

In an unexpected turn, two former high-ranking Pfizer executives, ex-CEO Ian Read and former CFO Frank D'Amelio, have reportedly been collaborating with Starboard. Both have urged Pfizer’s current board members to consider working with the activist investor.

Industry analysts and investors are increasingly speculating about potential changes in Pfizer's management. While some are in favor, others caution that simply changing leadership may not suffice, stressing the importance of developing a promising drug pipeline for the company’s long-term success.

Bourla has acknowledged the company's recent shortcomings in meeting earnings expectations and commercial performance. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the value of recent acquisitions, such as the $43 billion Seagen deal. To streamline operations, Pfizer has also divested a $3.3 billion stake in Haleon, reducing its shareholding to 15%.

Starboard is expected to advocate for a more focused development strategy and stringent cost reductions, beyond the $5.5 billion cut already announced by Pfizer through 2027. Critics argue that recent acquisitions in neuroscience, blood disorders, and cancer lack a cohesive strategic focus.

Pfizer’s struggle has been reflected in its stock performance. On Tuesday, the stock closed at $29.18, experiencing a minor drop of 0.068% during regular trading hours. However, it saw a slight uptick of 0.31% in after-hours trading. For the year to date, Pfizer's stock has fallen by 1.85%, as indicated by data from Benzinga Pro.