Company veteran Chris Boshoff, who has led Pfizer’s cancer research and marketing for more than a year, will become chief scientific officer starting Jan. 1.

Pfizer, despite pressure from investors to look outside, elevates its cancer chief Chris Boshoff to lead overall R&D.

Pfizer said on Wednesday it has named company veteran and oncology head Chris Boshoff as its chief of research and development. The appointment comes at a time when Pfizer is facing criticism from activist investor Starboard for overspending on big acquisitions and failing to produce profitable new drugs from those deals or its internal research and development.

Pfizer Inc. named oncology research head Chris Boshoff as the drug company’s chief scientific officer, replacing Mikael Dolsten, whose planned departure was announced earlier this year.

Pfizer said on Wednesday it has named company veteran Chris Boshoff, who led the drugmaker's cancer research and marketing for more than a year, as its chief of research and development. The appointment comes at a time when Pfizer is facing pressure from activist investor Starboard,