Jeffrey Kindler's ascent reflects the new challenges drugmakers face. In the race to replace Henry A. McKinnell Jr., the embattled CEO of drug giant Pfizer Inc. (PFE ), Jeffrey B. Kindler was the dark horse. Named as McKinnell's successor on July 28, he had no pharmaceutical experience prior to joining Pfizer four years ago as general counsel. But for months, the drug industry has been racked with legal, regulatory, and public-relations challenges, with Pfizer right in the thick of it. Against that backdrop, the 51-year-old Kindler -- an accomplished lawyer and veteran of McDonald Corp. (MCD ) and General Electric Co. (GE ) -- brings much to the table. .