Lundbeck appoints Tarek Samad as new head of R&D

Samad currently serves as Senior Vice President of Global Research and Corporate Patents at the Valby-based firm, a position he has held since 2021. His appointment signals a focus on leadership continuity, as he has been instrumental in executing the company's current R&D strategy and strengthening its research collaborations. Before joining Lundbeck, Samad held leadership roles at Pfizer, Sanofi, and Immunitas Therapeutics, and previously served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School.

CEO Charl van Zyl noted that Samad’s experience in building high-performing teams and leveraging emerging technologies makes him the appropriate choice to guide the organization through its next phase. A transition period will begin in July 2026, with Luthman remaining with the company until the end of the year to ensure continuity. During his tenure, Luthman oversaw a significant restructuring of the R&D organization, shifting the company’s focus toward first-in-class drug candidates and expanding its biological research capabilities.