The drug company had been searching for a new chief scientific officer since July with Mikael Dolsten leaving after 15 years at the company.

Pfizer Inc. named oncology research head Chris Boshoff as the drug company’s chief scientific officer while it works to fend off activist criticism that its pipeline is underwhelming.

Chris Boshoff will take over as Pfizer’s next chief scientific officer as of January 1, replacing Mikael Dolsten who led the pharma through the COVID-19 pandemic. The move comes weeks after Pfizer faced pressure from activist investor Starboard Value.

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.

As for his soon-to-be former role, Boshoff will be succeeded by Dr. Roger Dansey, who will serve as the interim chief oncology officer. He will then hand off the role to Dr. Johanna Bendell, who will join the Pfizer team in 2025.

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,