NCCN Taps Novartis Veteran as Chief Scientific Officer to Drive Oncology Research
Event summary
- NCCN names Nancy L. Lewis, MD, MBS, FACP, as Chief Scientific Officer effective May 2026.
- Dr. Lewis joins from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where she served as Senior Clinical Program Leader.
- She will oversee NCCN's Oncology Research Program and key clinical practice guidelines.
- Dr. Lewis succeeds Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, who previously held the CSO role before becoming CEO.
- She brings expertise in clinical trials for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
The big picture
NCCN's appointment of a pharma-experienced CSO signals a strategic push to bridge academic research with industry-scale clinical trials. This move comes as oncology research faces increasing pressure to demonstrate real-world efficacy and accessibility. Dr. Lewis's background suggests NCCN may prioritize translational research that accelerates drug development timelines.
What we're watching
- Research Prioritization
- How Dr. Lewis will balance NCCN's focus on solid tumors versus hematologic malignancies in clinical trials.
- Industry Collaboration
- Whether her Novartis experience will accelerate partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.
- Guideline Impact
- The pace at which NCCN's clinical practice guidelines will evolve under her leadership.
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