Dr Hesham Ahmed Abdullah
Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, Research & Development
Hesham A. Abdullah is Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, Research & Development at GSK. Hesham is a seasoned physician-scientist who uniquely combines a clinician’s understanding of the impact cancer has on patients with deep expertise in identifying transformational opportunities to improve cancer treatment and care.
Hesham leads GSK's global oncology R&D organisation and under his leadership, the organisation has built a portfolio of oncology assets and advanced molecules from discovery through to approved medicines, playing a central role in GSK's return to oncology as a therapeutic area. His approach places precision medicine and advanced technology at the centre of drug development, focusing on identifying the patients most likely to benefit from new treatment modalities and applying that insight to move efficiently from early science to clinical impact.
His experience spans early discovery through late-stage registration, across solid tumours and haematological malignancies. Over more than 20 years in senior roles at AstraZeneca, Amgen, and GSK, he has led the development and registration of 13 novel precision oncology products, spanning targeted small molecules, antibodies, immunotherapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, along with companion diagnostics for a number of these assets.
Under his leadership, GSK has approved four novel oncology medicines in the past five years and built a pipeline of more than 15 clinical-stage oncology assets, alongside a number of research-phase programs incorporating new technologies to address significant unmet needs in cancer care.
Throughout his career, Hesham has built and led high-performing scientific and clinical teams and has played a key role in establishing GSK's oncology organisation, shaping its strategic direction and therapeutic priorities. For Hesham, this work is both personal and science-driven, shaped by being a cancer care giver and the impact of cancer on patients and families, and grounded in a commitment to translating science research into meaningful outcomes for patients.
Cancer continues to impact our lives in different ways, whether the diagnosis affects you personally or a loved one. All of us working in oncology research and development are aware of the significant unmet needs that continue to exist across many cancer types. For me, the work I’ve done over my 20+ year career, as a physician-scientist, contributing to the research, development and registration of over a dozen targeted cancer therapies has deeply been personal. This has shaped how I show up each day firmly committed to advancing cancer treatments for current and future patients.
Driving Transformation in Cancer Care
Hesham's achievements
2023 – Present
Appointed Global Head of Oncology, Research & Development at GSK in 2023, where he oversees the end-to-end strategic development of GSK’s Oncology portfolio. He has refocused the R&D strategy toward higher probability of success therapeutic modalities and prioritization of key disease areas.
2019 – 2023
From 2019 to 2023, Head of Clinical Development in Oncology and the Global Head of Oncology Development.
From 2021, Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Member at Biofidelity
2010 – 2019
Held positions of increasing seniority in Regulatory Sciences and Development for Immuno-Oncology at AstraZeneca and served as a core member of the Oncology Therapeutic Area Leadership Team. During this time he guided multiple oncology product approvals and rebuilt the Late-Stage Immuno-Oncology Development and Oncology Global Regulatory Sciences functions.
2006 – 2010
Hesham started his biopharmaceutical career in Regulatory Sciences at Amgen, having joined from the academic setting.
Education
Received his MD from the University of Cairo School of Medicine, trained as an internist and conducted Clinical Research Fellowships in Oncology & Nephrology. Hesham has completed a Master’s degree in Regulatory Sciences from the University of Southern California (USC) and is currently a candidate for a Doctoral degree in Regulatory Science at USC.
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