Dr. Patrice Matchaba Named CEO of Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 28, 2024  -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) has appointed Patrice Matchaba, MD, as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 10, 2024. Dr. Matchaba will take over from Emilio Emini, PhD, who has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2024.

Dr. Matchaba's career began in South Africa as a physician before he transitioned into the pharmaceutical sector, where he spent over 20 years. During his tenure with Novartis Global Pharmaceuticals in both the US and Switzerland, he gained extensive experience in drug development, global product registration, and market access. His most recent roles included serving as President of Novartis' U.S. Foundation and Novartis Group Head of Global Health.

Prior to joining Novartis, Dr. Matchaba was a Senior Research Scientist at the Cochrane Centre at the South African Medical Research Centre in Cape Town, after practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist in Durban. He also worked as a medical doctor in Botswana’s mines for three years, where he encountered the severe impacts of tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Matchaba was born in Zimbabwe and holds citizenship in both South Africa and the US.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Matchaba as the new leader of Gates MRI," said Trevor Mundel, the Board Chair of Gates MRI and President of Global Health at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Dr. Matchaba's extensive background in global health drug development, particularly his efforts to foster partnerships for treating sickle-cell disease in Africa and Chagas disease in South America, will be invaluable as Gates MRI advances its pipeline of candidate therapeutics, supplements, and vaccines."

Dr. Emini expressed confidence in Dr. Matchaba's ability to drive the institute’s mission forward. "Dr. Matchaba's experience in translating medical innovations from research to patient access will be crucial as we continue our studies on potential interventions for diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. His leadership will be key in leveraging existing partnerships and forging new collaborations."

Dr. Matchaba emphasized his commitment to addressing public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. "Tuberculosis, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and maternal and child health are pressing issues that Gates MRI was founded to tackle. I am eager to collaborate with our team and research partners to make significant strides in these areas."

Earlier this year, Gates MRI initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the M72/AS01E tuberculosis vaccine candidate. The institute is also conducting various other clinical trials to assess potential therapeutics, vaccine candidates, and a probiotic candidate aimed at reducing the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries.

The Gates MRI operates as an affiliate of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and focuses on developing biomedical interventions for significant global health challenges, including malaria, tuberculosis, enteric and diarrheal diseases, and maternal, newborn, and child health issues.

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