Roche Veteran Comes Aboard Struggling GSK as Its New R&D Chief
GlaxoSmithKline has now confirmed the departure of President of R&D Patrick Vallance and announced veteran drug industry scientist Hal Barron from Alphabet-funded (GOOGL.O) Calico as his successor.
Barron, who worked for Roche (ROG.S) for many years before joining the new Google venture set up to tackle age-related health issues, will replace Patrick Vallance, who is taking up the post of chief scientific adviser to the British government.
Dr. Barron is currently President R&D at Calico (California Life Sciences LLC), an Alphabet-funded company that uses advanced technologies to increase understanding of lifespan biology. Prior to joining Calico, Dr. Barron was Executive Vice President, Head of Global Product Development, and Chief Medical Officer of Roche, responsible for all the products in the combined portfolio of Roche and Genentech. At Genentech, he was Senior Vice President Development and Chief Medical Officer.
Emma Walmsley, CEO, GSK said: “Scientific innovation must be at the heart of GSK and with the appointment of Hal, we are bringing one of the world’s foremost R&D leaders to the company.
“Hal has exceptional experience and a strong track record of developing significant new medicines from his time at Roche and Genentech; whilst at Calico, he has helped build a research organization that uses cutting-edge technologies in drug discovery and development. He is also very well known for his integrity, for being a clinician who is committed to always doing the best he can for patients and for building exceptional teams.
“The fusion of science and technology is fast transforming pharmaceuticals R&D. With Hal, we have a new R&D leader who will drive the changes and choices we need to make to be successful in this new environment, and as we look to build the next wave of growth for the company.”
Philip Hampton, Chairman, GSK, said: “We are delighted that Hal will be joining GSK and look forward to welcoming him to the Board. He is a highly respected clinician-scientist with a proven ability to generate value for shareholders and his appointment reflects the Board’s commitment to investing in research and development.”
Dr. Barron is the latest major appointment the chief executive has made as Emma Walmsley looks to stamp her authority on the pharmaceuticals division — her own background is in consumer side — and improve GSK’s lackluster performance in finding new blockbuster drugs.
Luke Miles was poached from AstraZeneca to become head of pharma, Tony Wood from Pfizer to become head of platform technology and science and, in an internal promotion, Kate Knobil was recently appointed as a chief medical officer, succeeding Murray Stewart who left GSK to work for a US biotech.
Dr. Barron said, “I am honored to have been chosen for this important position especially given the company’s renewed focus on discovering and developing transformational new medicines. GSK is a company with a rich history of innovation, with many talented scientists who care deeply about translating great science into therapies that make a meaningful difference for patients. I believe there is a significant opportunity to accelerate this effort and am looking forward to joining Emma and the team on this mission.”
Barron, who will serve as president of R&D at GSK, will be paid a base salary of $1.7 million with an additional $1.7 million in bonuses and $4.25 million in stock options.
