Pfizer Inc.

Building Trust Through Openness, Compassion, and Scientific Excellence

At Pfizer, breakthroughs begin with a commitment to both patients and the animals that help make medical progress possible. As a leader in biomedical innovation, Pfizer recognizes that animal studies remain important to the development of safe and effective medicines and vaccines while continuing to advance alternatives whenever scientifically appropriate. Through a culture grounded in openness, compassion, and continuous improvement, Pfizer believes that responsible transparency supports scientific excellence and public understanding.

A Commitment to Animal Welfare and Scientific Progress

Animals play a vital role in advancing discoveries that improve and save lives. Animal studies continue to support drug discovery and development and can provide important preclinical data for regulatory agencies around the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to assess the safety of potential medicines and vaccines before they enter human clinical trials.

Pfizer's Comparative Medicine (CM) organization oversees the care and well-being of all animals across its U.S. research and development sites. This multidisciplinary team includes veterinarians, animal care professionals, technicians, researchers, regulatory compliance specialists, behavior experts, procurement professionals, and vivarium infrastructure teams. Together, these professionals support the expert care provided to animals 365 days a year.

The company's animal care and use programs are accredited by AAALAC International and are designed to operate in compliance with applicable federal, state, and regional regulations. Approximately 99% of the animals in Pfizer's research program are rats and mice.

Pfizer's approach is guided by its corporate policies and the internationally recognized principles of the 3Rs - Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The company actively invests in and implements New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including organ-on-chip technologies and other innovative alternatives, wherever they are scientifically validated and appropriate.

"At Pfizer, the animals in our care are essential to advancing breakthroughs that change patients' lives. We are committed to conducting animal research responsibly, compassionately, and ethically while continuously advancing alternatives that reduce reliance on animal studies whenever scientifically possible."

Building a Culture of Care Through Openness

Pfizer's openness efforts are rooted in its Culture of Care program, which is organized around three interconnected pillars:

• Openness & Transparency

• Compassion Science

• Consistent Progress in Animal Care & Welfare while maintaining Scientific Quality

  
  

This framework reflects Pfizer’s belief that responsible transparency can support both scientific excellence and public trust.

Some examples of Pfizer’s initiatives:

• Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD), which engages colleagues in educational activities, including opportunities to learn more about the company's vivaria and animal care programs.

• The Long Road to Drug Discovery Game©, an interactive educational experience that helps audiences better understand the complexity of developing new medicines.

• Active leadership and participation in the U.S. Animal Research Openness (USARO) Initiative, supporting greater transparency across the biomedical research community.

• A long-standing Animal Adoption Program, including collaboration with Homes for Animal Heroes to place retired research animals into loving homes whenever appropriate.

• Broad public engagement through  sponsorship of AALAS Foundation educational videos and the AREA Program, STEM outreach events, and educational content available through Pfizer's public website.

  
  

Together, these efforts help connect the public with accurate information, demonstrate how research leads to potential new treatments and vaccines, and foster greater understanding of the people who care for research animals every day.

The Impact of Openness

Pfizer's openness initiatives have expanded opportunities for colleagues and external audiences to learn about animal research, animal care, and the drug development process.

Each year, more than 200 colleagues participate in BRAD activities, and the Long Road to Drug Discovery Game has reached over 10,000 participants in the last decade. Through these initiatives, Pfizer has helped students, educators, policymakers, and community members better understand the research process. Internally, a strong culture of care has also supported continued improvements in animal welfare practices.

Like many research organizations, Pfizer seeks to communicate openly while appropriately addressing security and animal-welfare concerns. These efforts are intended to support greater public understanding and colleague engagement.

Leading with Transparency

Pfizer's commitment to openness extends beyond sharing information. It reflects a belief that public understanding is essential to advancing biomedical research responsibly. By openly discussing why animals remain necessary in some areas of research, investing in alternatives whenever possible, and highlighting the dedication of the professionals who care for research animals, Pfizer is helping shape a future where openness, compassion, and scientific innovation reinforce one another.

As a USARO Exemplar, Pfizer seeks to demonstrate how openness can strengthen public understanding, support a strong organizational culture of care, and advance the shared goal of improving human and animal health.