Gilead Sciences names two new EVP's

US biotech major Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) on Tuesday named William Lee the executive vice president (EVP) for research, and Brett Pletcher the EVP and general counsel. Both Mr Lee and Mr Pletcher will join the company’s senior leadership committee.

Mr Lee joined Gilead in 1991 and has led the expansion of the company's research activities across a range of therapeutic areas, including liver diseases, hematology/oncology, inflammation and respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions. He reports to chief scientific officer Norbert Bischofberger. Prior to joining Gilead, Mr Lee worked at California Biotechnology and Syntex.

Chief scientific officer Mr Bischofberge, said: "Over the past nearly 25 years, Bill has helped Gilead bring multiple product candidates from early stage research into development. His contributions to the discovery and advancement of internal drug candidates and evaluation of external candidates for potential partnership have allowed Gilead to bring important new medicines to patients around the world."