Over the course of a more than 33-year career at Gilead, Ken Kent, Senior Vice President, Chemical Development and Manufacturing, has been with the organization through every phase of its evolution.

One thing that has remained constant, he says, is Gilead’s patient-focused approach to developing innovative medicines with the potential to address unmet medical needs.

“When a compound first comes out of research, it’s really an idea. And that will have to be tested: Is it safe and effective in people?” explains Ken, who is Gilead’s longest-tenured employee. “There’s so much to figure out, and we want it to be the optimal patient experience. So, what would be best for patients, and how do we deliver that?”

Ken recently joined Monica Tijerina, Vice President, External Manufacturing, Clinical Supply Chain and Logistics, for a conversation in the latest episode of our “Inside the Innovation” series. During the conversation, the Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing leaders discuss the roles their teams play in creating new medicines, share what motivates them and reflect on career highlights.

Monica emphasizes that a commitment to inclusion and diversity during the development of new medicines is particularly important.

“There's been a lot of research that shows when you have individuals who think differently and you have people who will listen to those unique ideas, you get to a better outcome,” she says. “And so the development of medicines is no different. A diverse set of individuals, from years of industry, gender, training, education – all of those give you different perspectives.”

The interview in the video above includes additional details and reveals Ken’s most memorable project during his time at Gilead.

Click here to watch the first episode of Inside the Innovation, which features two Gilead leaders discussing their careers and the company's innovative work in oncology.