Recursion Pharma Announces Leadership Transition, Najat Khan to Succeed Chris Gibson as CEO

Salt Lake City, Utah – Recursion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RXRX), a clinical-stage TechBio company, announced a significant leadership transition on November 5, 2025. Co-founder and CEO Chris Gibson, Ph.D., will step down from his role, transitioning to Chairman of the Board and an interim Executive Advisor, effective January 1, 2026. Najat Khan, Ph.D., currently the Chief R&D and Commercial Officer, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer and President.

The announcement marks a pivotal moment for the company, with the board's unanimous decision reflecting a commitment to continuity and a new phase of growth. Zavain Dar, a Board Member at Recursion Pharma and an early investor through Lux Capital, publicly expressed his support for the change. Dar stated on social media, > "looking fwd to many many more years of partnering collaborating and building alongside both Chris and Najat. @RecursionPharma has never been in a stronger position than today!"

Dr. Khan brings extensive experience to her new role, having previously served as Chief Data Science Officer and Senior Vice President, Global Head of Strategy, Portfolio & Operations for R&D at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. She joined Recursion in 2024 and has been instrumental in advancing clinical programs and leading the company's combination with Exscientia, noted as 2024's largest TechBio M&A deal. Her background emphasizes integrating scientific discovery, data, and technology to drive innovation in drug development.

Chris Gibson, who co-founded Recursion in 2013, has led the company for 12 years, navigating its journey from an ambitious startup to a publicly traded entity. His transition to Chairman of the Board ensures his continued guidance and expertise will remain within the company. This leadership change comes as Recursion recently reported its third-quarter 2025 financial results, including achieving a $30 million milestone from Roche and Genentech for a whole-genome map of microglial immune cells.

Recursion Pharma has been focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery. The company recently made headlines for pipeline adjustments earlier in 2025, aiming to focus on areas of high unmet need. With Dr. Khan at the helm, the company aims to further evolve its OS platform, advance its pipeline, and deliver transformative medicines to patients.