John Tsai

Executive Partner
Syncona Ltd.
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John Tsai, M.D., has served on our board since January 2023. Dr. Tsai was formerly President, Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis, where he led the company’s development portfolio spanning 160 new projects and 500 clinical trials, as well as the team that secured global approvals for 15 new medicines including treatments using gene therapy, cell therapies, and new advanced platforms. Prior to joining Novartis in 2018, Dr. Tsai served as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs at Amgen and spent 11 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb. During his tenure at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Tsai held positions of increasing responsibility within the Medical and Drug Development organizations, including Head of Late Phase Development and Oncology Development Leader, Head of Worldwide Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officer Europe, Head of U.S. Medical, and Vice-President, Cardiovascular and Metabolics Disease Area. Earlier in his career, Dr. Tsai held drug development roles at Pfizer and manufacturing roles at GE. We believe Dr. Tsai’s experience leading drug development and advancing diverse pipelines for global pharmaceutical companies qualifies him to serve as a member of our board of directors. Dr. Tsai received a B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.D. from University of Louisville School of Medicine.
 

Speech title & Synopsis

Updates for Gene Therapies - an industry perspective

The past few years have brought significant advancements in the field of gene and cell therapies with treatments in sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, and Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy.  While these drugs have been transformational for patients who have had very few options, the uptake has not been as robust as originally promised.  We will explore the challenges of gene therapies including manufacturing, regulatory and reimbursement considerations.  In addition, what's the next wave of innovation in the area of cell and gene therapies.