Galapagos Appoints New Board Directors to Accelerate Business Development Strategy
核心洞察
Galapagos has appointed Dr. Neil Johnston and Devang Bhuva to its Board of Directors effective November 1, 2025, bringing extensive business development and financial leadership expertise.
The appointments are part of the company's strategic transformation to focus on business development activities and building a pipeline of novel medicines in areas of high unmet medical need.
Three current directors, including Dr. Elisabeth Svanberg, Dr. Susanne Schaffert, and Andrew Dickinson from Gilead, will step down as part of the board restructuring.
Galapagos NV announced significant changes to its Board of Directors on October 30, 2025, appointing two seasoned executives with extensive business development expertise as the biotechnology company accelerates its strategic transformation toward sustainable growth.
New Leadership Appointments
Dr. Neil Johnston has been appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director, effective November 1, 2025. Johnston brings 16 years of senior leadership experience at Novartis, where he most recently served as Global Head of Business Development and Licensing and as a member of the Novartis Pharma Executive Committee. He currently serves as Non-Executive Chair at Qureight Limited (搜索) and previously served as Executive Chair at Yellowstone Biosciences (搜索).
Devang Bhuva joins as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, also effective November 1, 2025. Bhuva currently serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Alliance Management at Gilead, where he oversees the company's licensing, partnership, investment, and acquisition activities. Prior to Gilead, he was a Managing Director in the Global Healthcare Investment Banking Group at Lazard.
Board Restructuring
The appointments coincide with the departure of three current directors. Non-Executive Independent Directors Dr. Elisabeth Svanberg and Dr. Susanne Schaffert, along with Non-Executive Non-Independent Director Andrew Dickinson, Gilead's current CFO, will step down effective November 1, 2025.
"I am very pleased to welcome Neil and Devang to our Board," said Jérôme Contamine, Chair of the Board of Galapagos. "Their extensive experience in financial leadership roles, overseeing capital allocation and executing strategic transactions, combined with their commitment to the ongoing transformation of Galapagos, will be instrumental as we execute on our business development strategy to create value for our shareholders and build a pipeline of novel medicines addressing unmet patient needs."
Strategic Focus on Business Development
The board changes reflect Galapagos' commitment to strengthening its focus on transformational business development to build a pipeline of novel medicines in areas of high unmet medical need. The company is positioning itself for sustainable growth through focused execution of its business development strategy.
"This is an important time for Galapagos as we pivot the Company toward a sustainable growth path, delivering enhanced value for our stakeholders through focused execution of our business development strategy," said Henry Gosebruch, CEO of Galapagos. "I look forward to working alongside Neil and Devang, as well as the entire Board and management team, to deliver on our transformation strategy and unlock the full potential of the Company."
Executive Backgrounds
Dr. Johnston's career spans both scientific and financial leadership roles. He began his executive career as CFO of Pharmagene plc (搜索), where he played a key role in its London Main Market IPO, raising £40 million. He later served as CFO and then CEO of Medical Solutions plc (搜索) before joining Novartis. Trained as a scientist, he earned a PhD in Molecular Biology before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Bhuva's background includes extensive experience in healthcare investment banking, having advised pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across the U.S., UK, and Japan during his tenure at Lazard. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
The company expects to appoint an additional Non-Executive Independent Director in the near future as part of its commitment to maintain a balanced, diversified Board composition with appropriate director capabilities and profiles.