Activist investor Starboard Value accused Pfizer of pressuring its former CEO Ian Read and ex-CFO Frank D’Amelio to halt support for Starboard’s turnaround campaign. Starboard’s Jeff Smith revealed the company allegedly threatened to claw back compensation and cancel unvested shares. Smith urged Pfizer’s board to investigate, calling the actions unethical and breaching fiduciary duties. Starboard claims that Bourla’s leadership hurt Pfizer's with its cost management structure and focus on mergers and acquisitions.