Charles Pfizer

Charles Pfizer (March 22, 1824 – October 19, 1906) was a German-American chemist and the co-founder of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

Early Life and Education

Charles Pfizer was born in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He received his education in the local schools and later attended the University of Tübingen, where he studied chemistry.

Career

In 1849, Pfizer emigrated to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York. He partnered with his cousin, Charles F. Erhart, a confectioner, to establish the chemical firm of Charles Pfizer & Company in a red-brick building in Williamsburg. Their first product was an antiparasitic called santonin, which was a success.

Pfizer's company was innovative in its use of fermentation to manufacture citric acid, a product that was in high demand during the 19th century. This process, which involved the fermentation of sugar, was a significant advancement in the production of pharmaceuticals and set the foundation for Pfizer's growth into one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

Legacy

Charles Pfizer's legacy is evident in the global reach and impact of Pfizer Inc. today. The company is known for its research and development of drugs in various therapeutic areas, including cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Pfizer has developed some of the world's best-known drugs, such as Lipitor for cholesterol, Viagra for erectile dysfunction, and more recently, a COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with BioNTech.

See Also

• Pfizer
• Pharmaceutical industry in the United States
• History of pharmacy

External Links

• Pfizer Official Website