Words by Jade Williams
Bristol Myers Squibb has announced the appointment of Cristian Massacesi as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development.
In this role, Dr Massacesi will lead the company’s global R&D organisation, overseeing both early and late-stage development activities across all therapeutic areas covered by the business.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cristian to Bristol Myers Squibb,” said Christopher Boerner, board chair and CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb. “His deep scientific expertise, strong focus on clinical execution and proven track record of regulatory approvals will be instrumental as we continue to advance our pipeline and deliver breakthrough medicines to even more patients around the world. Cristian also has a very strong track record of building and developing world-class teams.”
Dr Massacesi joins BMS with over two decades of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D. Most recently, he served as Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca and Alexion and as Oncology Chief Development Officer at AstraZeneca. He has also held senior R&D roles at Pfizer and Novartis, overseeing development programs in solid tumours and hematologic malignancies.
“I am on a mission to discover new medicines – unlocking innovative approaches to researching and treating challenging diseases so that one day, no patient will hear that all options have been exhausted”, Commented Dr Massacesi. “I am excited to join BMS in this shared purpose, with its storied history, vast pipeline across therapeutic areas, exceptional reputation, and culture deeply committed to making a difference.”
As a trained medical oncologist, Dr Massacesi is set to bring a patient-centric mindset to his industry leadership. “I am on a mission to discover new medicines by unlocking innovative approaches to treat complex diseases. BMS’s rich legacy, broad pipeline, and strong development culture make it an ideal place to pursue that mission,” he said in a press release.
The appointment follows the planned departure of Samit Hirawat, who has served as BMS’s Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development for the past six years.
