Pfizer Names Danna Breen Vice President and Head of Obesity Discovery on Monday July 13 Following Kendra Bence Departure After More Than a Decade at Kendall Square Research Site; Breen Advances Through Multiple Roles From Research Associate to Senior Principal Scientist Working on Novel Obesity Drug Targets and Research Collaborations, Inheriting the Berobenatide Monthly GLP-1 Program and the Metsera Amylin (MET-233i) Franchise Acquired in the November 2025 $10 Billion Deal Ahead of Extensive 2026 Phase 3 Obesity Program
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) named Danna Breen Vice President and head of obesity discovery on Monday July 13, 2026, following the departure of longtime scientific leader Kendra Bence. Bence had led internal medicine research across metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (formerly known as NASH) and obesity discovery at Pfizer's Kendall Square research site for more than a decade, and described the role as 'the absolute privilege of my career' when announcing her exit. Breen advanced through multiple roles at Pfizer including Research Associate, Fellow, Senior Principal Scientist, Principal Scientist, and Senior Scientist, working on novel obesity drug targets and research collaborations. The role transition arrives as Pfizer's obesity portfolio expands substantially: the monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist berobenatide (PF-3944) is advancing through 10 planned Phase 3 studies presented at ADA 2026 in June, and the November 2025 $10 billion Metsera acquisition brought in the amylin peptide MET-233i (positive Phase 1 data supporting monthly dosing). Endpoints News concurrently reported AI startup Xaira making its own leadership adjustments as the sector's talent map continues to reshape.