Biohaven Reshapes Scientific Leadership: Pirman Promoted to Head of Discovery, Car Transitions to Chief Innovation Officer
Key Insights
David Pirman, Ph.D., has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Head of Discovery, taking the helm of Biohaven's internal drug-discovery organization.
Bruce Car, Ph.D., is retiring as Chief Scientific Officer and will assume the newly created part-time role of Chief Innovation Officer, effective July 13, 2026.
Dr. Car will focus on external collaborations, including leading multiple assets under Biohaven's multi-program CNS-focused partnership with Bexorg, Inc. (search)
Biohaven Ltd. (search) (NYSE: BHVN) announced on July 9, 2026 a series of scientific leadership transitions aimed at accelerating drug innovation and strengthening external collaborations. The New Haven-based biopharmaceutical company promoted David Pirman, Ph.D., to Executive Vice President and Head of Discovery, while Bruce Car, Ph.D., will retire as Chief Scientific Officer and transition into the newly created part-time role of Chief Innovation Officer, effective July 13, 2026.
Dr. Pirman will now lead Biohaven's internal drug-discovery organization, overseeing the company's research programs across its diverse pipeline. His promotion reflects what Chairman and CEO Vlad Coric, M.D., described as "his leadership and significant contributions to Biohaven's discovery efforts, as well as his strong alignment with our continued focus on scientific innovation across our diverse portfolio of drug candidates."
Dr. Car, who has been instrumental in building Biohaven's scientific foundation, will remain with the company as a part-time employee and continue to serve as an executive officer. In his new capacity as Chief Innovation Officer, he will concentrate on advancing Biohaven's scientific initiatives and external collaborations, with a particular emphasis on leading multiple assets under the company's collaboration with Bexorg, Inc. (search)
"We thank Bruce as he has played a central role in building Biohaven's scientific foundation and helping translate discovery insights into multiple IND-stage programs across our portfolio," said Coric. "We are pleased that he will continue to bring his expertise to Biohaven in this new part-time role, with a particular focus on our collaboration with Bexorg."
Dr. Car expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, stating, "The timing of my retirement and transition reflects my complete confidence in Biohaven's discovery research platforms and leadership, and genuine excitement for the future of the Biohaven portfolio."
In a separate governance update, Warren Volles, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, has been designated an executive officer of Biohaven and will continue to lead the company's legal function.
The Biohaven–Bexorg Collaboration
The leadership restructuring places renewed emphasis on Biohaven's partnership with Bexorg, Inc. (search), a New Haven-based techbio company. Announced in June 2025, the multi-program research collaboration is focused on identifying, de-risking, and advancing next-generation therapies for CNS disorders (search).
Under the collaboration, Bexorg's whole-brain discovery platform is leveraged to demonstrate target engagement in relevant cell types and tissues, and to generate biomarkers, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships, and other mechanistic data that support Biohaven's preclinical programs.
Strategic Positioning
Together, the two executive transitions are designed to position Biohaven to sustain its discovery momentum and pursue new CNS therapies grounded in human biology and translational innovation. The company maintains a broad pipeline spanning neuroscience, immunology, and other therapeutic areas, with a focus on developing life-changing therapies for people with debilitating diseases.