Gilead Sciences names SVP for oncology therapeutics

Gilead Sciences has announced the appointment of Dr Roy Baynes as its new senior vice-president (SVP) for oncology therapeutics.

Dr Baynes steps into the role following a career with Amgen spanning almost a decade, serving most recently as vice-president for global development and therapeutic area head for haematology oncology.

Prior to his spell with Amgen, he was the Charles Martin professor of cancer research at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University in Detroit, publishing more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts during his career.

In his new position at Gilead, he will take responsibility for the company's oncology programmes and reports directly to chief executive officer Dr Norbert Bischofberger, as well as joining the executive committee.

Dr Bischofberger said: "Roy's appointment reflects our commitment to building a leading oncology research and development programme and I am very pleased to welcome him to the Gilead team."

This comes in the same week that the company completed its multibillion-dollar takeover of Pharmasset, a specialist developer of hepatitis C therapies.