Recursion CEO Chris Gibson Resigns After 12 Years of Leadership

Chris Gibson has stepped down as CEO of Recursion, a Utah-based techbio company, after leading the organization for 12 years. His resignation will take effect on January 1, 2024, with Najat Khan, the current head of research and development and Chief Commercial Officer, set to take over the role.

Gibson co-founded Recursion in 2013 with a vision to revolutionize drug discovery through the integration of technology and data. Under his leadership, the company aimed to change the paradigm of pharmaceutical development. In a bold claim made in 2014, Gibson stated that Recursion would develop 100 drugs in 10 years. Unfortunately, this ambitious goal has yet to materialize, as the company has not successfully brought any drugs to market. Earlier this year, Recursion made significant cuts to its pipeline, reducing nearly half of its developmental projects.

Gibson was the last of the three original co-founders actively involved in the company. His leadership style garnered respect among employees, with many attributing the startup’s achievements to his unique talent for attracting investment and forging partnerships. One employee noted his “extraordinary ability to keep pulling rabbits out of hats,” which helped sustain the company after its initial pharmaceutical collaborations concluded.

Despite the challenges faced in recent years, Gibson’s tenure saw Recursion navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in drug discovery. The company sought to leverage AI technologies to streamline and enhance the drug development process, which has become increasingly competitive.

As the new CEO, Khan will be tasked with steering Recursion through its next phase. With a background in both research and commercial strategy, she is expected to align the company’s vision with practical outcomes in drug development.

The transition in leadership marks a significant moment in Recursion’s journey, as it continues to seek ways to fulfill its founding promise amidst a rapidly changing industry.