Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-led, integrated global pharmaceutical company, announced yesterday that it has named Alessandro Riva, MD as chief executive officer of its new innovation company effective 2 April 2019.

Presently, Riva is the executive vice president, Oncology Therapeutics and Cell Therapy for Gilead Sciences.

Prior to joining Gilead, Riva spent 12 years with Novartis where he was the executive vice president and head of Global Oncology Development and Medical Affairs in the Oncology Business Unit, managing a global group of more than 2,500 associates. He also served as interim president of the Novartis Oncology Business Unit during the acquisition of GSK Oncology. Prior to his time at Novartis, Alessandro held leadership roles with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Aventis, France.

The new innovation company will be headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. Global locations include two R&D centres in Switzerland, the R&D centre at Mahape, Navi Mumbai, India, and the GMP biologics manufacturing facility in Switzerland. The new company will include approximately 400 employees working to provide an enhanced focus on the innovation business and help accelerate the pipeline towards commercialisation.