Pfizer has named company veteran Chris Boshoff, who led the drugmaker's cancer research and marketing for more than a year, as its R&D chief, WSJ reported on Wednesday.

Pfizer, despite pressure from investors to look outside, elevates its cancer chief Chris Boshoff to lead overall R&D.

"Dr Boshoff is the ideal leader to propel Pfizer's R&D engine forward and transform it into a world-leading organisation with a more focused strategy, driving the delivery of additional impactful breakthrough medicines with blockbuster potential," said chief executive Albert Bourla.