Pfizer Inc. announced that Morris J. Birnbaum, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the company as Chief Scientific Officer for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research. He will report directly to Rod MacKenzie, Ph.D., Group Senior Vice President and Head of PharmaTherapeutics Research & Development, and will be based in a key Pfizer R&D hub in Cambridge, MA.

“As the new leader of our Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research Unit, Dr. Birnbaum brings significant scientific expertise that will help us continue the progress of clinical programs in areas of need such as type 2 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, and hyperlipidemia,” said Dr. MacKenzie. “He is among the leading contributors to our contemporary understanding of the regulation of intracellular metabolism, and an excellent addition to our team. His scientific credentials and knowledge will help Pfizer pursue our goals to achieve industry leadership from the strong position that we currently hold, and to deliver unique therapies for patients.”

Dr. Birnbaum previously served as the Willard Ware Professor of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases and Associate Dean for Biomedical Core Resources at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and was also an investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Birnbaum has authored more than 200 scientific papers and is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards, including election to the American Association of Clinical Investigation, the American Association of Physicians, and as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“I am very impressed by Pfizer’s clear and focused dedication to cardiovascular and metabolic research,” said Dr. Birnbaum. “The team has achieved important clinical milestones in the last year alone, and I am excited to bring my expertise and knowledge to the organization so that together we continue to research the next generation of therapies.”

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