Gilead Sciences’ John Martin has stepped down as chief executive officer, a role he had held since 1996, and moved to a new role as executive chairman.
His replacement as CEO is John Milligan who joined Gilead in 1990 as a research scientist and has since held several senior management positions at the company including chief financial officer.
Martin (pictured above) started at Gilead in 1990 as vice president for research and development and has 40 years of pharmaceutical and management expertise, during which he spent time in several leadership positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syntex.
He was made chairman of Gilead’s board in 2008 and will now transition from CEO and chair to executive chairman over the next six weeks.
John Cogan, Gilead’s lead independent director, said: “John Martin has led Gilead as chief executive officer for the past 20 years, and under his stewardship, the company has developed and delivered therapeutic advancements to millions of people around the world.
“His legacy is clear – and the vision he has set will continue with his contributions as executive chairman.”
Taking the reins from Martin at the California-based biopharmaceutical company is John Milligan (pictured left), who currently serves as its president and chief operating officer.
Milligan will become Gilead’s chief executive officer on 10 March, when he will also join the firm’s board of directors.
John Martin said: “Over the past 25 years, John Milligan has distinguished himself as an exceptional leader, serving in diverse management roles and overseeing multiple phases of growth and expansion into new therapeutic areas and geographies.
“The board of directors and I are confident in his ability to lead Gilead into the future.”