Activist Starboard Value accused Pfizer of threatening litigation against two renegade former executives that initially were supportive of the investor's turnaround campaign at the pharmaceutical giant.

Pfizer Inc. company officials threatened legal action against two former top executives who had been working with Starboard Value to push for changes at the drugmaker, the activist investor alleged Thursday in a letter to the company’s board.

Activist investor Starboard Value claims the pharma giant’s former CEO and CFO were “threatened” into backing current management.