Moderna Taps Oncology Veteran Dr. David Berman to Lead Clinical Pipeline Development

2026-01-30 companies

Cambridge, Friday, 30 January 2026.
Immunotherapy veteran Dr. David Berman joins Moderna as Chief Development Officer, leveraging his history of leading the first T-cell receptor drug approval to accelerate the firm’s oncology and mRNA pipeline.

Strategic Leadership Transition

Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) has strategically bolstered its executive leadership with the appointment of David Berman, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer, announced on January 30, 2026 [1][2]. Dr. Berman is set to assume his responsibilities on March 2, 2026, joining the Executive Committee and reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Bancel [1][6]. This transition involves a changing of the guard, as Dr. Jacqueline Miller will step down as Chief Medical Officer on the same date, though she will remain with the company in a consulting capacity to ensure a smooth handover [3][6].

A Proven Track Record in Immuno-Oncology

Dr. Berman’s arrival signals a deepened focus on oncology for the mRNA pioneer. He brings over two decades of experience in immunotherapy, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Immunocore [4][6]. During his tenure there, he led the development and approval of the industry’s first T-cell receptor therapeutic [4][6]. His resume also includes significant leadership roles at AstraZeneca, where he headed the Immuno-oncology franchise, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served as the Global Clinical Lead for the first approved checkpoint inhibitor [3][6].

Financial Landscape and Strategic Partnerships

The appointment comes at a pivotal financial moment for Moderna. The company faces financial headwinds, having reported a 56% revenue decline to $2.23 billion over the last twelve months [5]. However, the market has shown resilience; Moderna shares recently closed at $46.86, trading 18.36 dollars above their 200-day moving average of $28.50 [4]. This valuation suggests investor confidence persists despite the revenue contraction.

Sources

Biotechnology Executive Leadership