Mechelen, Belgium –Belgian biotechnology company Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) has announced a series of boardroom changes designed to support its strategic transformation and sharpen its focus on business development.
The company said the appointments will align its governance structure with its long-term growth ambitions and help accelerate the development of new medicines targeting areas of high unmet medical need.
New appointments bring finance and deal-making expertise
Seasoned biopharma executive Dr. Neil Johnston and experienced dealmaker Devang Bhuva have both been appointed to the Board of Directors by way of co-optation, effective 1 November 2025. Johnston joins as a Non-Executive Independent Director, while Bhuva becomes a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director.
An additional Non-Executive Independent Director is expected to be appointed in the near future as part of Galapagos’s broader commitment to maintaining a balanced and diverse Board composition.
In parallel, Dr. Elisabeth Svanberg, Dr. Susanne Schaffert, and Andrew Dickinson, who currently serves as Gilead’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from the Board effective the same date.
The changes reflect an ongoing evolution in Galapagos’s leadership as the company advances its transformation under the guidance of Chief Executive Henry Gosebruch, who took the helm earlier this year with a focus on accelerating business development and partnerships.
“A critical step in executing our strategy”
“I am very pleased to welcome Neil and Devang to our Board,” said Jérôme Contamine, Chair of the Board of Galapagos. “Their extensive experience in financial leadership roles, overseeing capital allocation and executing strategic transactions, combined with their commitment to the ongoing transformation of Galapagos, will be instrumental as we execute on our business development strategy to create value for our shareholders and build a pipeline of novel medicines addressing unmet patient needs.”
Contamine added: “I would like to thank Elisabeth as Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees, Susanne as Chair of the Science & Development Committee, and Andy as a Gilead representative for their valuable contributions over the past years as we steadily progressed our platform and navigated numerous challenges, and for their thoughtful counsel and dedication helping to shape Galapagos as we move forward.”
Chief Executive Henry Gosebruch said the company was entering a pivotal phase as it works to establish a sustainable growth path. “This is an important time for Galapagos as we pivot the Company toward a sustainable growth path, delivering enhanced value for our stakeholders through focused execution of our business development strategy,” he said.
“I look forward to working alongside Neil and Devang, as well as the entire Board and management team, to deliver on our transformation strategy and unlock the full potential of the Company.”
Experienced leadership in global biopharma
Dr. Neil Johnston brings more than two decades of experience in the global biopharma sector, combining scientific training with senior financial and operational leadership. He currently serves as Non-Executive Chair at Qureight Limited, and previously held the role of Executive Chair at Yellowstone Biosciences.
During his 16 years at Novartis, Johnston served as Global Head of Business Development and Licensing and was a member of the Novartis Pharma Executive Committee. Earlier in his career, he was CFO and later CEO at Medical Solutions plc, and CFO at Pharmagene plc, where he oversaw the company’s £40 million IPO on the London Main Market. Johnston earned a PhD in Molecular Biology before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Devang Bhuva, currently Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Alliance Management at Gilead, brings deep experience in M&A, licensing, and strategic partnerships. At Gilead, he is responsible for managing the company’s licensing, partnership, investment, and acquisition activities.
Prior to joining Gilead, Bhuva was a Managing Director in the Global Healthcare Investment Banking Group at Lazard, advising pharmaceutical and biotech companies across the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Governance aligned with long-term vision
The appointments come as Galapagos continues its shift toward a business development–driven model, seeking to strengthen its portfolio through external innovation, collaborations, and partnerships.
The refreshed Board composition is expected to enhance Galapagos’s governance framework and reinforce its focus on financial discipline, capital allocation, and strategic execution as it aims to expand its presence in high-growth therapeutic areas.
With the addition of Johnston and Bhuva, Galapagos said it remains committed to long-term governance stability and maintaining a balance between independent oversight and representation from strategic partner Gilead Sciences, which remains a major shareholder.
The changes are effective 1 November 2025, marking another step in Galapagos’s evolution as it pursues sustainable growth and value creation across the biotechnology landscape.
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