In a Tuesday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla struck a positive tone about activist investor Starboard Value, saying he agreed with some of its criticisms, but maintained that the company is headed in a good direction. But if Starboard, and anybody else for that matter, have good ideas, I will certainly discuss them and entertain." The pharmaceutical giant is under pressure from Starboard, which reportedly has a $1 billion stake in the company. But he praised Starboard's CEO Jeff Smith, saying he seemed "very smart" and "very pragmatic" at a recent meeting. Bourla also rebuked claims that his company was involved in dissuading past executives — former CEO Ian Read and former CFO Frank D'Amelio — from joining Starboard's efforts.

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Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Albert Bourla, Bourla, Jeff Smith, Ian Read, Frank D'Amelio — Organizations: Pfizer