Giovanni Caforio, M.D.

Chairman & CEO
Bristol-Myers Squibb

Giovanni Caforio is chief executive officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb and chairman of the board of directors. He leads a company focused on discovering, developing and delivering transformational medicines. These include a portfolio of immunotherapies that are fundamentally changing the way cancer is treated. Under his leadership, BMS has advanced its vanguard position in oncology, immunoscience and cardiovascular disease, and is developing a range of therapies for fibrotic diseases.

Caforio was appointed as CEO in 2015 and elected as chairman of the board of directors in 2017. His leadership has been marked by a strengthened patient-focused culture, emphasizing the power of innovation, speed, accountability and passion. He has also led the company’s drive to expand its global reach and promote a culture that is diverse and inclusive. Caforio is an active champion for biomedical innovation and greater patient access to novel therapies. Reflecting his advocacy, in 2018 he was named as treasurer of the board of directors for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA.

Prior to becoming CEO, Caforio served as chief operating officer with responsibility for leading a fully integrated worldwide commercial organization and the companywide functions of Enterprise Services and Global Manufacturing & Supply. This was preceded by appointment as the company’s chief commercial officer.

Born and educated in Italy, Caforio received his medical doctorate from the University of Rome. He started his career with Abbott Laboratories before joining Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2000 as vice president and general manager, Italy, in the Worldwide Medicines Group. Caforio advanced through a series of regional European management positions and, in 2004, became senior vice president, European marketing and brand commercialization. In 2007, he relocated to the U.S. as senior vice president, U.S. Oncology. He was named senior vice president, global commercialization, oncology and immunology in 2010, then became president of the company’s U.S. organization in 2011.