Gilead has welcomed recognition for its chief scientific officer and global head of R&D in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Dr John McHutchison, who played a leading role in the development of the company's portfolio of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C, was appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in recognition of his “distinguished service to medical research in gastroenterology and hepatology, particularly through the development of treatments for viral infections, and to the biopharmaceutical industry.”
Dr McHutchison is an internationally recognised leader in gastroenterology and hepatology. He joined Gilead in 2010 and was appointed chief scientific officer in March this year.
"Under his leadership, Gilead has developed five medicines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C that have been used by nearly 2 million people around the world," said the company in a statement.
“I am deeply honored to receive this appointment,” said Dr McHutchison. “I have been fortunate to work with many gifted and inspiring leaders in the liver disease field, and I am grateful to them for many years of collaboration, support and friendship.”
“John is an inquisitive and insightful scientist who has helped to transform the outlook for millions of people with liver disease around the world,” said Gilead president and CEO John Milligan. “We congratulate him on this prestigious recognition and look forward to his continued leadership of our R&D programs.”
Dr McHutchison has undergraduate degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Melbourne in Australia and completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.