Core Insights - GSK's CEO Emma Walmsley is stepping down, with Luke Miels set to take over by the end of the year, marking a significant leadership change in a pivotal year for the company [1][2] - Walmsley, who became the first female CEO in Big Pharma in 2017, has been credited with major transformations at GSK, including the spinoff of its consumer health business and advancements in specialty medicine [1] - Despite successes, Walmsley faced criticism from activist investors regarding her biopharma R&D experience and GSK's recent struggles in the vaccine market and share price growth [2] Company Leadership Changes - Julie Kim will become the president and CEO of Takeda Pharmaceuticals in June 2026, succeeding Christophe Weber [4] - Kim joined Takeda through its $62 billion acquisition of Shire in 2019 and has held significant roles, including president of the U.S. business unit [5] - Takeda is currently reexamining its portfolio and has announced a halt to its cell therapy R&D as part of this strategic process [6] Gender Representation in Pharma - Walmsley's departure highlights ongoing challenges in women's leadership within the pharmaceutical industry, despite evidence that female executives contribute to higher profitability and innovation [3] - The leadership gap between men and women in pharma remains incremental, with few notable exceptions of female CEOs in major companies [3]