BMS appoints Dr Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer

He succeeds Dr Francis Cuss, 62, who will retire from the company.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (has) has appointed Dr Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., 56, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, effective 16 March 2017. He succeeds Dr Francis Cuss, 62, who will retire from the company. Dr Cuss will serve as an advisor to the company for the next 3 months to ensure a seamless transition. In connection with today’s announcement, Dr Lynch will step down from the Board of Directors of BMS, effective 15 March 2017.

Dr Lynch has more than 30 years of medical, management and leadership experience, including more than 23 years at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Massachusetts General Physicians Organization and as a member of the MGH Board from 2015 to 2017. Before returning to MGH, Dr Lynch served as the director of Yale Cancer Center and was the Richard and Jonathan Sackler Professor of Internal Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine from 2009 to 2015. While at MGH in 2004, Dr Lynch was part of the team credited with the significant discovery that certain genetic mutations in lung cancer patients caused therapies to work for some individuals and not for others.

"We are pleased to welcome Tom to the leadership team at BMS," said Giovanni Caforio, CEO and chairman designate of BMS. "Tom is an internationally recognized oncologist known for his leadership in the treatment of lung cancer and has made significant contributions to the field of targeted therapies throughout his career. Tom brings deep industry knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of the BMS R&D program from his experience as a member of our Board. As we transition to our next phase of growth, we are confident Tom is the right person to lead our dynamic R&D organization as we focus on accelerating the development of our Immuno-Oncology medicines and fully realizing the extraordinary potential of our diverse, innovative pipeline. With deep experience as a clinical researcher, leader of large research centres and a practicing physician, Tom brings unique, important and timely perspectives to the business."

Dr Lynch said: "Throughout my career, I have been devoted to advancing oncology research, with a particular focus on lung cancer. I have seen firsthand BMS’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, and I am honoured to lead the company’s R&D program, where lung cancer research is a core area of focus in a highly successful Immuno-Oncology development program. I have a strong appreciation for the depth of BMS’s portfolio and rich pipeline in oncology as well as in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, immunoscience and fibrosis. We have a number of significant opportunities and are uniquely positioned to transform cancer care. I am confident that our team will continue to discover and develop innovative medicines that address serious diseases in areas of significant unmet medical need."

Caforio concluded: "On behalf of the Board and leadership team, I want to thank Francis for his hard work and dedication to BMS for more than 13 years. Our portfolio and pipeline have been significantly strengthened during his time leading Discovery and R&D, and we wish him the best in his retirement."

"It has been an honour to lead BMS’s talented R&D team during such a transformative period for the company," said Cuss. "Today, BMS is creating unprecedented opportunities to address some of the most challenging disease areas in ways we never thought possible even five years ago. I’ve come to know Tom well in his capacity as a board member and I am confident that under his leadership the team will continue to flourish and find new ways to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that make a difference in the lives of patients."