Director, Preclinical Safety

Francis Tukov is a pharmaceutical research professional with over twenty years of post-doctoral experience in preclinical safety, toxicology, and drug development. As Director of Preclinical Safety Assessment at Novartis, Francis provides strategic scientific leadership for global programs across multiple therapeutic areas, including gene therapy, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Francis has played a pivotal role in advancing regulatory innovation and shaping safety strategies for cutting-edge therapies. Notably, Francis led preclinical safety efforts for Zolgensma®, a groundbreaking gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), influencing both development and post-marketing safety frameworks. Francis has extensive experience in regulatory submissions (INDs, CTAs, BLAs, MAAs) and global health authority interactions, ensuring compliance and accelerating approvals for novel therapeutics. Beyond regulatory excellence, Francis has designed and overseen numerous GLP and non-GLP toxicology studies, driving scientific rigor and translational insights. Francis is also deeply committed to mentorship and talent development, fostering the next generation of scientists while contributing to organizational capability-building. An active contributor to the scientific community, Francis has delivered educational seminars and authored publications on gene therapy safety and toxicology. Francis’s work continues to shape the future of innovative medicines, bridging science and regulatory strategy to bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide. In addition to his scientific and regulatory achievements, Francis actively collaborates with cross-functional teams, integrating diverse expertise to address complex challenges in drug development. His leadership has fostered a culture of innovation and quality, consistently promoting best practices in safety assessment and risk management. Francis's dedication to advancing patient outcomes underscores his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of pharmaceutical research.