Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Novartis
Background and Education
Vas Narasimhan was born on August 26, 1976, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to parents who emigrated from Tamil Nadu, India. Narasimhan received his bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago, his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and a master's degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Throughout his academic career, he worked on numerous public health initiatives, including the National HIV Treatment Program in Botswana and child poverty in India.
Professional Journey
Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 after briefly working at McKinsey & Co. During his tenure at Novartis, he has held various prominent roles:
- Global Head of Development for Novartis Vaccines
- Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer
He was appointed CEO of Novartis on September 5, 2017, succeeding Joseph Jimenez. Since taking the helm, he has spearheaded a significant transformation focusing on making Novartis a fully medicine-focused company.
Key Achievements and Strategic Direction
Under Narasimhan's leadership, Novartis has concentrated on key therapeutic areas and technology platforms including siRNA, radioligand, and gene and cell therapies. His strategic efforts include:
- Divesting non-core operations such as the joint consumer healthcare venture with GSK and spinning off Alcon.
- Acquiring Advanced Accelerator Applications, Endocyte, AveXis, and The Medicines Company to fortify Novartis's portfolio.
- Overseeing significant advancements in cell therapy and gene therapy to tackle diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and rare genetic disorders.
- Expansion Plan: Committed to expanding access to innovative medicines in low- and middle-income countries by at least 200% by 2025.
- Spearheading a cultural transformation at Novartis to drive innovation and performance through enhanced digital capabilities and data science.
Recognition and Memberships
- National Academy of Medicine: Elected member.
- Board of Fellows at Harvard Medical School: Member.
- PhRMA: Current chair, serving since February 2023.
- African Parks: Chair of the board, emphasizing wildlife conservation.
Personal Life and Interests
Narasimhan is married to Srishti Gupta since 2003, and they have two children. Residing in Basel, Switzerland, he maintains a principled lifestyle, including being a lifelong vegetarian and advocating for environmental conservation.
Recent Statements and Insights
Narasimhan often contributes thought leadership on platforms like LinkedIn, highlighting significant company achievements and personal beliefs:
- Q3 2023 Results: Celebrated Novartis's strong performance and strategic positioning.
- Commitment to Innovation: Regularly discusses advancements in oncology and other key therapeutic areas.
- Ethical Leadership: Addressed past ethical challenges and emphasized an unwavering commitment to ethical business practices.
Narasimhan remains a notable figure in the pharmaceutical industry, known for his forward-thinking approach towards medicine and health innovation, and his dedication to improving global health outcomes.
