Nationality: American Year of Birth: 1976 Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan, M.D., has been Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Novartis since February 1, 2018. Dr. Narasimhan previously was Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer for Novartis. He has also served as Global Head of Development for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Global Head of the Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology Injectables business unit, Global Head of Development for Novartis Vaccines, North America Region Head for Novartis Vaccines, and United States Country President for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. Before joining Novartis in 2005, he worked at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Narasimhan received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in the US, a master?s degree in public policy from Harvard?s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a bachelor?s degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago in the US. During and after his medical studies, he worked extensively on a range of public health issues in developing countries. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine and serves on the board of fellows of Harvard Medical School.