Samad’s elevation to the Executive Leadership Team follows a multi-year period during which he oversaw global research and corporate patents. Since joining the firm in 2021, he has focused on integrating emerging technologies and strengthening research partnerships. CEO Charl van Zyl cited Samad’s track record in building high-performing teams as a primary driver for the appointment, noting his role in the company's shift toward a more innovative pipeline.
Lundbeck Appoints Tarek Samad as Head of R&D
Lundbeck has named Tarek Samad as its new Executive Vice President and Head of Research & Development, effective September 1, 2026. Samad, who currently leads the company's global research organization, will succeed Johan Luthman, who is retiring after a seven-year tenure guiding the firm’s scientific strategy.
The transition begins in July 2026 to ensure operational stability. Luthman, who has served as head of R&D since 2019, will remain with the company until the end of the year to support the handover. Under Luthman’s guidance, the Valby-based pharmaceutical company expanded its drug modality platforms and pivoted toward new biological research areas. Before his time at Lundbeck, Samad held leadership roles at Immunitas Therapeutics, Sanofi, and Pfizer, following an academic career at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.
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