Recursion, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on advancing data-driven drug discovery, has approved a leadership transition that will take effect on January 1, 2026. The Board selected Najat Khan, PhD, currently Chief R&D and Commercial Officer and a director, to succeed Co-Founder and CEO Chris Gibson, PhD, who will become Chairman and serve as an interim Executive Advisor.
Current Chairman Rob Hershberg, MD/PhD, will shift to Vice-Chairman and Lead Independent Director. Hershberg said, “The Board’s unanimous decision to appoint Najat Khan as Recursion’s next CEO is a clear reflection of our confidence in her strategic acumen and proven track record.” Gibson added that after working closely with Khan, he has “absolute faith that she is the right leader for Recursion’s next phase,” emphasizing her scientific and strategic strength.
Khan, an experienced biopharma executive, said she is “deeply honored” to take on the role and highlighted the foundation built by Gibson and the company’s founders. Since joining in 2024, she has helped advance clinical programs, guide the acquisition of Exscientia, and expand the Recursion OS platform. Her career includes senior roles at Johnson & Johnson, where she scaled data science across R&D, and earlier strategic work at Boston Consulting Group. Khan noted that Recursion’s next chapter will require “bold and strategic focus” as the company aims to turn platform insights into clinical validation and continue building therapies for patients.