Technology is transforming therapeutic discovery and development. GSK is at the forefront of pioneering cutting-edge methodology and application of computational, experimental and analytical tools, to predict and overcome the industry’s nemesis – translational efficacy. Paired with a deep understanding of the clinical context, market and real-world considerations, my group is accelerating innovations that include novel mechanisms, ultra-long acting modalities, and combinatorial pharmacology to get ahead of fibro-inflammatory disease, together.
Dr Kaivan Khavandi
Senior Vice President, Global Head, Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, Research & Development
Kaivan Khavandi is a Physician Scientist and Senior Vice President, Global Head of Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, Research & Development at GSK. He leads end-to-end drug discovery and development across respiratory medicine, hepatology, immune-fibrosis, neuro-immunology, and nephrology, leveraging cutting-edge science in immunology, human genetics, and functional genomics. His team spans global laboratories in the UK and USA, integrating biology, biomarkers, clinical pharmacology, and translational medicine to advance a robust pipeline from early research through launch.
Kaivan chairs our Discovery & Development Review Boards and the Investment Board, overseeing decisions from target validation to Phase II clinical trials. Previously, he served as Vice President, Disease Area Head of Neuroscience & Emerging Therapeutic Areas. Beyond GSK, Kaivan held impactful roles, including Chief Medical Officer at BenevolentAI, Clinical/Translational Lead for Internal Medicine at Pfizer Worldwide R&D, and Medical Lead for Inflammation & Immunology at Pfizer International Developed Markets.
Before transitioning to industry, Kaivan practiced medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals and conducted pioneering research at King’s College London, earning a PhD in Molecular Medicine & Pharmacology. His groundbreaking work identified key mechanisms in vascular biology, including the vasoactive properties of perivascular adipose tissue and self-regulatory pressure mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells, with implications for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
A member of the Royal College of Physicians, Kaivan has held Honorary Senior Lectureships in Cardiovascular Medicine and remains actively engaged in scientific governance, fostering partnerships across academia and biotech. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to translating molecular insights into transformative therapies for patients worldwide.
Kaivan's achievements
2024 – 2025
Established multiple tech-based deals, including: GSK-Flagship Pioneering, Muna, Relation Therapeutics, Vesalius, Ochre, GSK-Oxford Centre for Experimental Medicine (EMC), Cambridge-GSK Translational Immunology Collaboration (CG-TIC) and GSK-Boston University Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM).
2024
Appointed Global Head, Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation R&D at GSK, leading end-to-end discovery and development. Since appointment, has led multiple Phase III read-outs, files and approvals, additional to key platform and asset-based business development deals to further enhance the pipeline.
Led acquisition of Aiolos.
2023
Became Chief Medical Officer of BenevolentAI, leading translational and clinical activities for one of the originating biotechs to build a target-finding engine anchored in AIML, reasoning over integrative causal datasets. Led the company’s first platform-derived (tech-identified) target through the first-in-human study.
2022
Assumed responsibility as co-chair (with Professor John Todd) of Scientific Management Committee for GSK-Oxford Institute of Molecular & Computational Medicine.
2021
Became Vice President, Disease Area Head, Neuroscience & Emerging Therapy Areas (previously Head, Future Disease Areas & Genetics) at GSK. Built strategy and team accountable for clinical development across Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Rare Diseases and Emerging Therapy Areas.
2020
Awarded Honorary Senior Lecturer, Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester.
2019
Appointed Clinical Lead, Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular & Metabolism) Research Unit, Worldwide R&D, at Pfizer. Responsible for overall clinical and translational strategy through to proof of concept, including programmes in MASH/T2DM (Ketohexokinase inhibtor), heart failure (BDK inhibitor) and novel/advanced lipid lowering (clinical lead for in-licensing early entry into RNA therapeutics - ANGPTL3 ASO).
Member of Foundation for National Institute of Health Biomarkers Consortium, Heart Failure.
2017
Became UK Medical Director at Pfizer and Medical Lead for Inflammation & Immunology, International Developed Markets. Acted as senior and overall accountable representative in NICE HTA appraisal committee meetings.
Awarded Honorary Lecturer in Medicine, The University of Manchester.
Identified abnormal remodeling of subcutaneous small arteries in patients with metabolic syndrome and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, linking microvascular dysfunction to compromised cardiac function.
2012
Awarded British Heart Foundation Clinical Research Fellowship, Cardiology. Discovered the mechanism by which intraluminal pressure regulates Ca2+ sparks in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Co-founded strategic consultancy business to major pharma and biotechs working across first wave of direct oral anticoagulants, injectable novel rapid lowering agents and iron chelators. Company was merged into multi-national conglomerate.
2011
Awarded NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, Cardiology, performing molecular research investigating axis between redox status, inflammation and vascular function.
2009
Became Clinical Academic at Guy's & Thomas' Hospitals, King's College Hospital, King's College London, Internal Medicine & Cardiology.
2008
Published research that was first to describe adipokines released from perivascular adipose tissue in humans, and identify adiponectin as key vasoactive product, with differential bioactivity in health and cardiometabolic disease.
