Words by Jade Williams
Dr Dietmar Berger is set to join Gilead Sciences as Chief Medical Officer on 2 January 2025 – succeeding Dr Merdad Parsey and becoming a member of Gilead’s senior leadership team.
Berger, a board-certified internist, haematologist and oncologist, brings over 25 years of experience in developing and delivering innovative medicines across a broad range of therapeutic areas. In his new role, Berger will oversee Gilead’s Global Development and Medical Affairs organisations and lead the company’s virology, oncology and inflammation portfolios.
Most recently, Dr Berger was the Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Development at Sanofi, where he led development science, strategy and operations across the company’s therapeutic areas of focus.
“Dietmar’s exceptional leadership in global drug development, his track record in delivering transformational therapies, and the breadth and depth of his experience make him an ideal choice as Gilead’s Chief Medical Officer,” said Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead. “We look forward to having Dietmar take up his role at the beginning of 2025 as we work to strengthen our impact for patients and communities worldwide.”
Berger expressed enthusiasm about joining Gilead, stating: “I’m honoured to join Gilead, an organisation I have long admired as an industry leader and one of the world’s most innovative companies, whose transformative therapies have revolutionised the treatment, prevention, and cure for some of healthcare’s greatest challenges.”
Aside from his over 5-year career at Sanofi, Berger has also held senior development roles at Atara Biotherapeutics, Genentech, Bayer and Amgen. Over his career, he has successfully led numerous global filings, contributing to multiple cancer treatments and groundbreaking products in immunology, haematology, oncology and infectious diseases.
He joins Gilead at a good tiem for the company. The drugmaker saw a 22% boost in market cap over Q3, benefitting from regulatory wins in treatments for liver disease and HIV – noted by O’Day as the “strongest of the year to date”. With Berger’s appointment, Gilead aims to capitalise on this momentum and advance its pipeline to address unmet medical needs in virology, oncology, and beyond.
