Ex-Merck cancer R&D chief Gilliland takes the helm at Fred Hutch

Gary Gilliland

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has tapped well-known drug investigator Gary Gilliland to become its new president. Beginning on the first work day in January, Gilliland, who recently completed a stretch at Merck ($MRK) as head of oncology drug research, will take the helm of one of the country's top cancer research institutes. Among other things, the Hutch has played a leading role in launching the CAR-T and TCR player Juno, which is now going public. Gilliland's lengthy resume includes a professorship at Harvard University and a stint at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. And he says the timing is right to focus on new ways to cure cancer. "This is the perfect time and perfect place to develop curative approaches for cancer," said Gilliland, a physician-scientist. "Everything I've done in my career has pointed here." Release