Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, we have been receiving video messages of support from our CDF delegates from top 500 companies, which have earlier contributed to helping China and now the world in coping with coronavirus. With the outbreak turned into a global crisis, we need more global endeavor and greater cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.

Today’s video is from Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer

He said that “ COVID-19 has clearly had serious impact on the global economic system. To address this serious downturn, what we need more than anything are tools to address the current COVID-19 outbreak and turn the tide in our global fight against this disease. “

“We are grateful for CDF’s role in this time of crisis to gather global leaders from different sectors to engage in a virtual discussion on how we can work together to address the tremendous challenges we face.”

The pharmaceutical sector is uniquely equipped to play a vital role in this process. Pfizer and many companies are now working to develop antiviral therapies to help infected patients fight COVID-19, and on new vaccines to prevent infection and halt further spread of this disease.

The following is the full speech.

Hello. Today I am recording this video on my phone at home, because at Pfizer we have learned from China’s experience that social distancing is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.

We are grateful for CDF’s role in this time of crisis to gather global leaders from different sectors to engage in a virtual discussion on how we can work together to address the tremendous challenges we face.

In recent months, we have witnessed scenes that many of us never imagined possible: entire countries on lockdown, pervasive travel restrictions to prevent further spread of disease, and economic uncertainty unseen in decades.

COVID-19 has clearly had serious impact on the global economic system. To address this serious downturn, what we need more than anything are tools to address the current COVID-19 outbreak and turn the tide in our global fight against this disease.

The pharmaceutical sector is uniquely equipped to play a vital role in this process. Many companies, including Pfizer, are working to develop antiviral therapies to help infected patients fight COVID-19, and on new vaccines to prevent infection and halt further spread of this disease.

On Mar. 13th, Pfizer released a five-point plan that served as a call to action across the pharmaceutical industry for unprecedented collaboration to combat COVID-19. This plan, which is part of our broader commitment to share our knowledge and expertise with the world, includes the following five promises Pfizer is making:

1) sharing our tools and insights on an open source platform；

2) marshaling a team experts focused solely on addressing the pandemic；

3) applying our expertise in drug development;

4) offering our manufacturing capabilities;

5) and working with others to improve future rapid response capabilities.

These promises are a natural extension of Pfizer’s purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Today nothing is more vital.

Our current global challenge is more than a health crisis. It is also an economic crisis.

To get the global economy back on good footing, we need medicines to treat this disease, and vaccines to prevent it.

We at Pfizer and our colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry pledge unprecedented levels of collaboration to make this goal a reality, for the good of patients and for the good of our world.