Management tracks: Cheng departing Gilead as CMO

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) said CMO Andrew Cheng will leave the company, effective Sept. 7, after five months in the role to pursue another opportunity. Gilead did not say who would replace Cheng, who joined the company in 1999 to lead Gilead’s development-stage programs in HIV/AIDS. He became an EVP in 2015.

Gilead also announced two promotions. Gregg Alton becomes chief patient officer after serving as EVP of corporate and medical affairs. Gilead said that in the newly created role Alton will facilitate access to the company’s therapies and increase its focus on reaching patients. Diana Brainard becomes SVP of HIV and emerging viral infections after serving as VP of clinical research, liver diseases...