Dr. Cihlar joined as a director in 2023 and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Virology at Gilead overseeing antiviral drug discovery and preclinical research. During three decades of his work at Gilead, Dr. Cihlar has contributed to the discovery, development and regulatory approval of multiple antiviral products including the broad portfolio of Gilead’s HIV drugs and their combinations. Together with his colleagues at Gilead, he established a broad virology research portfolio focused on long-acting antiretrovirals, cure of HIV and chronic hepatitis B, and treatment of respiratory and emerging viral infections. Dr. Cihlar was closely involved in the development of remdesivir, approved by FDA as the first antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19. He has contributed to multiple pandemic preparedness and response initiatives including collaborations with NIAID and WHO and is serving on Boards of Directors for the Global Virus Network and the Intrepid Alliance. Dr. Cihlar holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Bioengineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, in each case in Prague, Czech Republic.