For over two decades, Des Murphy has been part of Servier’s global journey – a path that began in Ireland, moved through Asia, the UK and France, and, as of September 1, now leads to Boston. In his new role as U.S. Oncology Assets Liaison, Des brings a unique global perspective, deep oncology expertise, and a leadership style grounded in trust and care. 

Des’ entry into healthcare was sparked early by curiosity – how things work, how science can change lives – and perhaps a touch of family inspiration: his mother was a nurse. After studying pharmacy, he began his career in Ireland on the medical team at Wyeth, but quickly realized his path would take a more commercial, international turn when he joined Servier in the global office in Paris. One of the biggest turning points came when he decided: “I wanted to become a people manager.” 
Since then, he’s worn many hats: supporting the launch of subsidiaries in South Asia, shaping product strategy in international marketing, and leading teams as General Manger in several countries in Europe and beyond.  

Now, in his new U.S.-based role, Des Murphy is focused on connecting the dots across teams and countries. Reporting to François Druguet, Head of Oncology, Global Product Strategy, he’ll act as a bridge between the U.S. and Global Oncology teams to align strategies, share insights, and make sure all teams work toward the same goal: delivering for patients. He’ll play a key role in advancing the IDH portfolio and will help ensure U.S. needs are heard early and clearly in global decision-making. 
What continues to drive Des after 23 years at Servier is, above all, the people he works with. He’s deeply committed to creating an environment where teams feel supported and motivated – where learning, growth, and achievement are part of the everyday experience. 

During ASCO this year, he represented Servier during a panel discussion on precision medicine, where he emphasized the critical role of mutational testing in improving patient outcomes. While the scientific advancements are promising, he underlined that access to testing – and therefore to targeted treatments – remains uneven, both across and within countries. Addressing that gap will require stronger collaboration and policy support. 
Looking ahead, he sees both scientific and operational innovation reshaping the landscape, especially in oncology. From emerging modalities to the growing impact of AI, the field is evolving rapidly, and with it, the opportunities to deliver more for patients. 

After two decades, his motivation remains consistent: advancing meaningful science, building strong teams, and helping bring the next breakthrough to patients who need it most.