Jonathan Novak | SVP & Global Head Technical R&D Biologics and Cell & Gene Therapy
Novartis

Jonathan Novak has spent the past 25 years working across pharma and biotech industries, living in 5 countries across 3 continents gaining technical and leadership experience in drug development, operations and program strategy management.  Jonathan began his early career at Merck and then Amgen, joining Novartis in the Vaccines division in 2010, holding various roles across Technical Research & Development (TRD) and Technical Operations. In his present role as Head TRD Biologics and CGT, he leads the enterprise that turns biological molecules into medicines, incl. advanced technology platforms such as Gene Therapies, Cell Therapies, mixed and new modalities.  Over the past 6 years Jonathan has led the integrations of the Cell Therapies, Gene Therapies and Biosimilar development organizations to create the right capabilities and bring innovation to scale. 
Jonathan has a strong track record as a transformational global leader across the sciences and cultures building high performing organizations across continents.   He has taken on roles to develop and execute strategies to ensure organizational sustainability to drive business and portfolio growth. 
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Professional experience
• Head Technical Research & Development Biologics and CGT, TRD (2020 – present)
• Head of Global Clinical Supply, TRD (2016-2020)
• VP Technical Operations and Managing Director Italy, Vaccines Division (2014-2016)
• Global Product Head & Launch Leader, Vaccines (2012-2014)
• Global MS&T Head, Vaccines (2010-2012)
• Technical Project Leader & Principal Engineer, Amgen (2005-2010)
• Several positions across Merck (1999-2005)
 
Education
•  Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry from The Ohio State University, USA

Key skills
• Drug Development / R&D / Biotech
• Leadership / Management
• Technical Operations