Pfizer CEO: How AI Will Reshape the Future of Medicine | Podcast | In Good Company

Nicolai Tangen meets Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, science, and the future of global healthcare. Bourla reflects on leading Pfizer through the COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough and how it transformed the company. The discussion also dives into Pfizer’s strategic shift toward innovative medicine, including major investments in oncology and obesity, and the high-stakes decisions behind multibillion-dollar acquisitions. Looking ahead, the conversation explores how artificial intelligence is set to transform drug discovery, clinical trials, and the broader healthcare system. Bourla offers a candid view on global competition, particularly the rapid rise of China in biotech, and what it will take for companies like Pfizer to stay ahead. Beyond business, Bourla opens up about leadership, how to build resilience, foster organizational confidence, and continuously evolve as a CEO. He also shares a deeply personal story about his mother, a Holocaust survivor, and how her perspective shaped his optimism and drive. In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New episode out every Wednesday. The podcast In Good Company is part of Norges Bank Investment Management, a podcast about our investments. We are transparent about how the fund is invested. In this podcast, you get a deeper insight into the companies the fund is invested in. Our CEO, Nicolai Tangen, has in-depth interviews with the leaders of some of the largest companies in the world. You will get insight into their leadership principles, the company’s strategy and how they are dealing with a large investor like us. You will also learn more about our role as an owner of the companies. You can read more about the podcast on https://www.nbim.no/en/publications/p... 0:00 Intro – Nicolai meets Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer 1:47 The COVID vaccine: developing it in 8 months 5:36 Rebuilding culture after the post-COVID hangover 8:30 ADC technology and the fight against cancer 11:10 The obesity revolution and GLP-1 drugs 18:38 How AI is transforming drug discovery 25:15 China, geopolitics, and pharma dominance 33:57 Leadership style and what makes a great leader 37:55 How Albert's leadership has evolved over the years 42:00 Personal drive, his mother's story, and advice for young people