GSK Executive Tadataka Yamada Named Executive Director of Gates Foundation's Global Health Program

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Monday announced that GlaxoSmithKline Chair of Research and Development Tadataka Yamada has been named new executive director for the organization's Global Health program beginning in June, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Ginsberg, Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/7). According to a Gates Foundation release, Yamada will direct the foundation's vaccine development efforts, as well as efforts to deliver drugs and other tools to fight diseases -- including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria -- to developing countries. Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation, said, "Melinda and I are thrilled to have someone with Dr. Yamada's breadth of experience leading the foundation's work on global health," adding, "He's organized the best talent around big challenges, knows what it takes to bring promising science from the lab to people in need and understands how to engage new partners" (Gates Foundation release, 2/6). GSK CEO Jean-Pierre Garnier in a statement said, "The Gates Foundation is a pivotal partner with GSK, and we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with [Yamada] in his new role" (Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/7). Yamada, who will leave GSK on June 1, will be replaced by Moncef Slaoui, currently the company's head of business development and external alliances in research and development (Hirschler, Reuters, 2/6).

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