Top 10: CEOs in Pharmaceuticals

The global pharmaceutical sector is valued at approximately US$1.7tn, driven by strong recent growth in oncology, immunology and weight loss drugs.

The industry focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing medicines to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Companies in the pharmaceutical sector need strong, driven leaders to help bring growth and innovation to their operations.

Healthcare Digital explores the top 10 CEOs in the pharmaceutical sector, ranked by their company’s revenue.

10. David A. Ricks

Company: Eli Lilly & Company
Revenue: US$45bn
CEO since: 2017

David has worked at Eli Lilly & Company for more than 25 years, gaining experience in marketing, sales, drug development and international operations.

He has led the company to grow its revenue by 45% in 2025, which reflects its strong global demand and performance across its portfolio.

David writes on LinkedIn: “Lilly’s world class scientists, rapidly expanding manufacturing organisation, expanding adoption of AI and deep customer and consumer understanding give me tremendous confidence in a future with many more breakthrough medicines reaching many more patients around the world.”

9. Belén Garijo

Company: Sanofi
Revenue: US$47.6bn
Incoming CEO: April 2026

Sanofi has appointed Belén Garijo, the current Chief Executive of Merck KGaA, as its new CEO from April 2026.

She will become the first woman to hold the top position at the company.

Belén previously worked at the French healthcare company before moving to Merck, holding the position of Vice President of Pharmaceutical Operations for Europe and Canada at Sanofi.

As well as holding leadership positions at pharmaceutical companies, she is a qualified physician.

8. Chris Boerner

Company: Bristol Myers-Squibb
Revenue: US$48.3bn
CEO since: 2023

Prior to his current role, Chris served as EVP, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer Designate at Bristol Myers-Squibb.

He has also been responsible for the worldwide commercial and medical organisations at the company, as well as international and US commercial activities and marketing, government affairs and market access.

He says: “We work every day to make sure we’re delivering medicines for patients.

“With the pace of scientific innovation and the best workforce in the industry, my confidence in our future is stronger than ever.”

7. Vas Narasimhan

Company: Novartis
Revenue: US$50.3bn
CEO since: 2018

Vas has spent his entire career working at Novartis, starting in 2005 as its Global Head of Disease Area Strategies.

He has worked within the company’s vaccine, biopharmaceuticals, injectables and drug development departments.

Vas writes on LinkedIn: “As CEO, I’ve worked to focus our company and unleash the power of our people to spur breakthrough innovation.

“Unbossed leadership is at the centre of it all and I believe it’s the kind of leadership that will enable humanity to overcome our greatest challenges and seize our most promising opportunities.”

6. Pascal Soriot

Company: AstraZeneca
Revenue: US$54.1bn
CEO since: 2012

Before becoming CEO of AstraZeneca, Pascal was previously Chief Operating Officer of Roche’s pharmaceuticals division and CEO of Genentech.

He brings a passion for science and medicine to his role, as well as experience in managing change and executing business strategies.

In 2022, he received a knighthood for services to life sciences and leadership in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He leads the company in its work on scientific innovation, drug discovery and development and manufacturing.

5. Rob Michael

Company: AbbVie
Revenue: US$56.3bn
CEO since: 2024

Rob leads AbbVie, which aims to deliver innovative medicines and solutions to more than 60 million people in more than 175 countries.

He has worked at the company for more than 13 years, holding many positions such as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller.

He led the company to achieve a 10% increase in revenue in 2025, with the majority of growth coming from its immunology and neuroscience portfolios.

Rob said on LinkedIn: “I want to thank our colleagues for your commitment to making a remarkable impact for our patients.

“We are entering 2026 with a significant momentum to achieve another year of top-tier performance.”

4. Albert Bourla

Company: Pfizer
Revenue: US$63.6bn
CEO since: 2019

Albert leads Pfizer in its purpose to make breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, focusing particularly on the scientific and commercial innovation needed to transform human health.

He led the company with urgency and innovation through the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering a safe and effective vaccine in eight months and producing the first FDA-authorised oral antiviral treatment.

Under his leadership, Pfizer is aiming to redefine what is possible across the oncology, internal medicine, inflammation, immunology and vaccine sectors.

3. Robert Davis

Company: Merck & Co
Revenue: US$64.2bn
CEO since: 2021

Robert has held positions at Merck & Co for 12 years, starting as the company’s Chief Financial Officer in 2014.

He took on the role of CEO in 2021, after spending five years as EVP, Global Services alongside CFO.

He has previously worked at Baxter Healthcare for nine years and Eli Lilly for 14 years, working mostly in financial roles.

Robert says on LinkedIn: “I’ve seen firsthand our long standing commitment to science, innovation and improving global health and believe that we’re unsurpassed among pharmaceutical companies – especially when it comes to our people.

“As the world faces no shortage of challenges, I’m confident that together we’ll continue to do what we do best: discover and deliver new medicines and vaccines that address important unmet human and animal health needs.”

2. Thomas Schinecker

Company: Roche
Revenue: US$66.9bn
CEO since: 2023

Thomas Schinecker is CEO of Roche Group, working to advance medicine and diagnostics to help improve patients’ lives.

He joined Roche in 2003, working his way up the company before serving as CEO of Roche’s Diagnostics department and its Pharmaceutical department after one another.

Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from New York University, using his knowledge of the healthcare sector to oversee each of the company’s divisions in his current role.

He writes on LinkedIn: “I’ve been lucky enough to work all over the world – from Asia to the USA, and here at home in Europe – with many wonderful people. 

“These diverse experiences have shaped me as a person and as a professional and I’m committed to working together to advance medicine and diagnostics and positively impact patients’ lives.

“Together with my colleagues, we will tackle challenges with courage, passion and integrity. Speed is crucial here – because patients do not have time to wait.”

1. Joaquin Duato

Company: Johnson & Johnson
Revenue: US$88.8bn
CEO since: 2022

Joaquin leads Johnson & Johnson, which is one of the world’s largest and most diversified healthcare products companies.

He first joined the company in 2005, working in the Ortho Biotech Products division, before taking on his first global leadership role in 2011.

He held the role of Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals for more than seven years.

“This is a golden era for healthcare,” Joaquin says. “Our teams are challenging convention and reimagining what’s possible by embracing new technology – including data science and intelligent automation – to accelerate both the pace of discovery and the delivery of health breakthroughs.

“As the eighth CEO of Johnson & Johnson – and the first with dual citizenship – I’m also on a mission to build a more diverse and inclusive global workforce that reflects the patients we serve.”