Johnson & Johnson, the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based global healthcare company whose Innovative Medicine and MedTech businesses span the full spectrum of healthcare solutions, has named Tom Cavanaugh Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, effective September 1, 2026. Cavanaugh succeeds Jennifer Taubert, who is retiring after more than 21 years at the company, during which she grew the Innovative Medicine business to more than $60 billion in annual revenue. He will join the Johnson & Johnson Executive Committee as part of the appointment.
About Tom Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh steps into one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most consequential leadership roles at a pivotal moment for Johnson & Johnson’s pipeline, tasked with sustaining growth across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and other high-impact therapeutic areas as the company advances new medicines to patients globally. Chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato said Cavanaugh’s deep understanding of the business, proven track record of growth, and focus on developing people position the company to keep delivering for patients, healthcare systems, and the organization as a whole.
Cavanaugh joined Johnson & Johnson in 2017 and has held senior leadership positions across Oncology, Immunology, and Global Commercial Strategy over his nine years at the company. He most recently served as Company Group Chairman, North America, Innovative Medicine, where he led the company’s largest commercial region, driving growth, strengthening execution, and advancing organizational excellence across teams in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico that reached more than 5 million patients in 2024. Earlier at Johnson & Johnson, he served as Company Group Chairman of the Global Commercial Strategy Organization, and before that as President of Immunology and President of Oncology, giving him direct P&L leadership across three of the company’s core therapeutic franchises.
Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Cavanaugh spent nearly 15 years at Celgene, rising to Corporate Vice President and General Manager of US Hematology/Oncology. Over that tenure, he held roles spanning global product development, global medical affairs, and global and regional marketing, including as General Manager of Celgene’s Spain operations and Executive Director of EU Marketing based in Switzerland. He began his industry career at Pharmacia in sales and marketing roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from North Carolina State University.
Reflecting on the transition and his predecessor’s legacy, Cavanaugh said: “Jennifer’s impact on patients, healthcare, and Johnson & Johnson has been extraordinary. Over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the passion, integrity, and commitment she brings to improving patients’ lives and advancing our company’s mission. I am grateful for her leadership, mentorship, and the example she has set for so many of us, and as I step into this role in September, I am honored to build on the strong foundation she has created and carry forward the momentum she has inspired.”
About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson believes health is everything. The company’s strength in healthcare innovation empowers it to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through its expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, Johnson & Johnson is positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow. The company’s Innovative Medicine business focuses on oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiopulmonary disease, and generates more than $60 billion in annual revenue as one of the most respected and successful pharmaceutical businesses in the world.
