Gilead Sciences has announced two appointments to the company’s senior leadership team. Kevin Young, CBE, has been appointed chief operating officer, and Martin Silverstein, M.D., has been appointed executive vice president, Strategy. Both Young and Silverstein will report to John F. Milligan, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer. The company also announced that Paul R. Carter, executive vice president, Commercial Operations, has decided to depart Gilead and pursue other opportunities.
As chief operating officer, Young will assume responsibility for Gilead’s worldwide commercial organization, and facilities and operations. From 2004 through 2014, Young served as Gilead’s executive vice president of Commercial Operations. Since 2014, he has held the role of senior advisor to the company. Prior to Gilead, he spent more than 20 years in the biopharmaceutical industry, first with ICI Pharmaceuticals and subsequently with Amgen.
“I am delighted to welcome Kevin back to Gilead in a full-time capacity. His contributions during his previous tenure, particularly his management of the introduction of eight novel therapies across diverse geographies, made a tremendous impact on the company. I have equally valued his continued engagement and significant contributions as an advisor to Gilead over the past two years,” said Milligan. “Kevin’s knowledge of Gilead’s business, all aspects of commercial operations and our therapeutic areas of focus, his commitment to operational excellence, and his leadership capabilities make him an obvious choice for the role of chief operating officer.”
Silverstein will oversee Gilead’s corporate development, commercial planning and alliance management functions. He previously held the role of executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Anthem from April 2014 through December 2015. Prior to Anthem, Silverstein spent 28 years in roles of increasing responsibility at The Boston Consulting Group, including serving as global leader of its HealthCare Practice, senior partner and managing director.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Marty to the Gilead team,” said Milligan. “His vast expertise in the healthcare sector, across biopharmaceuticals, pharmacy benefit management, health insurance and healthcare delivery, will be of great value to Gilead as we see the complexity of our business increase around the world. I’m looking forward to working with Marty and the rest of the company’s senior leadership team to deliver continued growth and bring more medicines to more people around the world.”
