Pfizer (PFE, Financial) is under fire as a House panel alleges it slowed COVID vaccine success news until after the 2020 election.
A probe by the House Judiciary Committee, detailed in a Wall Street Journal report, centers on claims from former Pfizer scientist Phil Dormitzer—now at GSK—that Pfizer deliberately “slowed down” clinical testing so results wouldn't emerge before November 3, 2020.
According to a committee letter, Dormitzer told colleagues three senior R&D executives “decided to delay” disclosures, not merely rush to press statements. The panel has asked Pfizer to hand over internal testing documents and summoned Dormitzer for an interview and document submission by May 29.
Pfizer confirmed receipt of the committee's letter, with spokesperson Amy Rose insisting its vaccine rollout “was driven by science and guided by the U.S. FDA,” calling the allegations “untrue and being manufactured.”
The request comes as Pfizer's BioNTech-partnership garnered one of the fastest EUAs in history—secured on December 11, 2020—after a three-month Phase III trial. Yet the new allegations echo a February shareholder suit accusing management of withholding data.
Despite decades of trust in Pfizer's R&D rigor, the company now faces potential legal and reputational risks if the DOJ or SEC joins the investigation. With three named executives in the crosshairs and a tight May 29 deadline for testimony, any finding of impropriety could trigger fines, stricter FDA oversight or shareholder lawsuits.
Why it matters: Ongoing scrutiny could dent Pfizer's credibility and influence vaccine confidence, potentially pressuring its pipeline valuations and share price.
Investors will watch for committee hearing outcomes and Pfizer's formal response ahead of the May 29 document deadline.
