CAMBRIDGE, MA (April 1, 2026)—Krishnan (Krish) Ramanathan, who has served as Chief of Staff and Head of Development at Gates Medical Research Institute (MRI), has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization. Krish takes on the role after Patrice Matchaba, who retired as CEO on March 31 and will take a seat on Gates MRI’s Board of Directors.

Krish brings 26 years of integrated pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience to his new role, including leadership in development programs across vaccines and therapeutics. Building partnerships that facilitate research, development, and comprehensive rollouts of these innovations has been central to his work.

“I leave Gates MRI in capable hands,” said Dr. Matchaba. “As the organization continues its mission, solving public health challenges that impact communities in low- and middle-income countries, Krish’s vision and drive as Interim CEO will provide continuity and steady leadership during this transition.”

Under Matchaba, the Gates MRI M72 phase 3 clinical trial, evaluating a potential vaccine for tuberculosis, reached full enrollment eleven months ahead of schedule. The TB vaccine currently in use is more than a hundred years old and has limited effectiveness.

“I am deeply appreciative of Patrice’s contributions to the Gates MRI. Under his leadership, the organization advanced its R&D portfolio and has taken steps to ensure it remains a key part of the global health R&D ecosystem,” said Trevor Mundel, President for Global Health, Gates Foundation and Chairman of the Gates MRI Board of Directors. “I am grateful that the Gates MRI will continue to benefit from Patrice’s insights as a member of the Board of Directors and believe that Krish is well positioned to lead the Gates MRI until a permanent CEO is appointed.”

Additionally, early-stage clinical trials evaluating a potential TB medicine and a monoclonal antibody treatment for malaria have provided encouraging results, and new clinical trials for these compounds are being planned.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with Patrice Matchaba, who began his career as a medical doctor in the mines of Botswana for three years, witnessing the ravages of tuberculosis (TB) firsthand,” said Krish. Through his leadership, Gates MRI has accelerated the development of life-saving medical innovations to address unmet needs for millions of families in low- and middle-income countries.

Prior to joining the Gates MRI in 2025, Krish served as Senior Vice President and Head of Immunology Portfolio & Assets at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines R&D, where he led teams overseeing early- and late-stage development. Before joining J&J, Krish was at Novartis for 15 years where he held leadership roles spanning multiple therapeutic areas, leading teams to successful regulatory approvals. Krish holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He has a M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from John Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.