Bristol Changes Up R&D But Not Backing Down On Oncology

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. tapped an industry outsider as its new research and development leader, announcing the appointment of oncologist and academic Thomas Lynch as Chief Scientific Officer March 8. The news that Lynch will succeed Francis Cuss suggests that while Bristol wants to shake up its R&D unit after losing ground to rivals in the competitive immuno-oncology field, the company’s future investment will remain deeply tied to success in cancer.

Lynch brings a strong academic pedigree to the position with specific experience in lung cancer, one of the biggest commercial oncology opportunities. He worked for 23 years at Massachusetts General...