Tomas Cihlar, Ph.D. is a Senior Vice President of Virology at Gilead overseeing antiviral drug discovery and preclinical research. He joined Gilead after receiving his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, Czech Republic. While at Gilead, he has contributed to the discovery, development and regulatory approval of multiple antiviral products including the portfolio of Gilead’s HIV drugs and their combinations. Together with his colleagues at Gilead, he established research programs 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 that has been approved by FDA as the first antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19. Dr Cihlar has been involved in 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.