Gilead announces promotions as CMO quits

Following the resignation of Dr Andrew Cheng, chief medical officer of US biotech major Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), the company has announced two promotions.

This adds to a list of exits by long-term senior executives from the company, included that of president and chief executive John Milligan, who will step down at the end of the year, and chairman John Martin. In March, Gilead’s chief scientific officer Norbert Bischofberger also decided to vacate his position to pursue other opportunities.

Gregg Alton has been appointed chief patient officer, a newly-created role that will facilitate access to the company’s medicines and increase focus on reaching patients. The company also announced that Dr Diana Brainard has been promoted to senior vice president, HIV and Emerging Viral Infections.