Francis Cuss was named to his current role in May 2010. He is responsible for the discovery and exploratory development of all potential new medicines at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Under Francis’s leadership, novel small molecules, protein and anti-sense therapeutics are discovered in-house and in collaboration with external partners to address unmet medical need across multiple therapeutic areas. Additionally, Francis chairs the Bristol-Myers Squibb Research Operating Committee, which reviews and approves program progression in Drug Discovery and Exploratory Development.

“Our scientists’ unrelenting focus on discovering innovative drugs that meet the medical needs of patients, together with their efforts at improving scientific productivity, have delivered a pipeline that is among the best in the industry,” he says. In 2009, the number of investigational compounds in Exploratory and Full Development increased by nearly 40 percent. About one-third of the company’s compounds in development are biologics.

“BMS has a clear and differentiated BioPharma strategy, says Francis. “Our Research leaders and staff identify with the strategy and are executing against it in an innovative, flexible and decisive manner.”

Francis joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2003 as senior vice president, Drug Discovery, and took over additional responsibility for Discovery Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology in May 2006. He is a physician-scientist. Prior to joining the company, he spent 14 years at Schering-Plough and three years at Glaxo, where his career included assignments in discovery, clinical research and medical affairs in the U.S. and Europe. Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, Francis was a practicing physician. He has also held several academic appointments, most recently as adjunct associate professor at Jefferson Medical College.

Francis Cuss received his medical training in the U.K. He holds medical degrees from Cambridge University and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on topics of medical interest.

May 2010