Gilead Sciences promotes Dr Alessandro Riva to EVP, oncology therapeutics

Gilead Sciences has promoted Dr Alessandro River from senior vice president, haematology and oncology therapeutic area head, to executive vice president, oncology therapeutics.

Dr Riva joined the biopharmaceutical group in January 2017, and his previous role saw him take responsibility in expanding Gilead’s oncology programme with the recent acquisition of Kite Pharma.

Prior to Gilead, Dr Riva served as head, global oncology development at Novartis, where he oversaw the development and worldwide regulatory approval of multiple compounds in a variety of tumour types.

John McHutchinson, executive vice president, clinical research, Gilead, said: “Alessandro’s vision and insight have helped Gilead broaden and deepen our oncology pipeline through the acquisition of Kite Pharma, and his exceptional leadership has guided the company’s broader haematology/oncology strategy.

“In his new role, I am confident that Gilead’s haematology and oncology programmes will continue to expand, as we seek to advance new therapies with the potential to transform the treatment of patients with cancer.”