The drug company had been searching for a new chief scientific officer since July with Mikael Dolsten leaving after 15 years at the company.

Pfizer Inc. named oncology research head Chris Boshoff as the drug company’s chief scientific officer while it works to fend off activist criticism that its pipeline is underwhelming.

Pfizer said on Wednesday it has named company veteran and oncology head Chris Boshoff as its chief of research and development. The appointment comes at a time when Pfizer is facing criticism from activist investor Starboard for overspending on big acquisitions and failing to produce profitable new drugs from those deals or its internal research and development.