Furlaud focused on Squibb's pharmaceuticals, investing in research and development that ultimately led to the introduction of several new drugs. Furlaud's streamlining and consistent support of the company's cardiovascular drugs paid off as the drugs' revenues jumped $240 million in one year. His changes at Squibb, though risky and at times controversial, allowed the firm to become a global leader in two of the pharmaceutical industry's most lucrative and growing markets, cardiovascular and cholesterol-lowering drugs. This allowed Furlaud to merge the company with Bristol-Myers just before his retirement.