US biopharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb has promoted Cari Gallman to general counsel, replacing Sandra Leung who is retiring after more than three decades at the company.
Gallman was previously executive vice president for corporate affairs, a role she had been in since October 2023. As GC, Gallman will oversee the company’s global legal team, drawing on her pharma law experience across IP, regulation, litigation, transactions, corporate governance and government affairs matters. She will also serve as chief policy officer.
Princeton, New Jersey-based Bristol Myers Squibb is one of the world’s largest pharma companies, generating revenue of $47bn in the last financial year.
Christopher Boerner, chair and CEO, said: “Cari brings a unique combination of legal, policy and communications expertise, coupled with an impressive ability to inspire teams, uphold ethical business practices and champion patient voices. I am confident that under Cari’s leadership, our legal and policy teams are well positioned to advance Bristol Myers Squibb’s efforts to drive and deliver innovation to patients facing serious diseases.”
Gallman has been with the company since 2015, when she joined as a senior counsel. She has since held roles including assistant GC for oncology and chief compliance and ethics officer. Prior to joining Bristol Myers Squibb she was a litigation associate at Debevoise & Plimpton where she advised pharma and medical device manufacturers in civil, regulatory and government enforcement matters.
She said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity to lead the incredible teams that govern and counsel Bristol Myers Squibb in advancing its mission to deliver transformational medicines to more patients. I am committed to continuing to build on the company’s culture of integrity and shape a dynamic policy environment that protects innovation and patients.”
Leung, meantime, retires after 33 years with the company, having become GC in 2007. Before that she spent eight years as an assistant district attorney in New York.
Boerner added: “Sandy’s resilience, steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to patients have left an indelible mark on our company. On behalf of the entire organisation, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Sandy for her decades of service and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”
In other recent life sciences related moves, in September last year Panodil-maker Perrigo hired Charles Atkinson as GC from Haleon, where had been serving as interim GC. Haleon announced in April 2024 that it was hiring Tesco legal head Adrian Morris as its next GC, taking up the role in August.
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