Legend Biotech has found its permanent CEO, poaching Novartis veteran Ingrid Zhang as the CAR-T specialist eyes its next phase of growth.
Zhang officially took the Legend CEO title on Sept. 15, assuming the post from interim chief Alan Bash, who has now returned to his role as president of Carvykti. Bash temporarily filled the position after then-CEO Ying Huang, Ph.D., abruptly resigned in July before quickly re-emerging as the CEO of a startup called K2 Therapeutics.
Zhang joined Legend after a 15-year tenure at Novartis, most recently serving as chief commercial officer for Novartis’ ex-U.S. international business. Prior to that, she had held positions at AstraZeneca, Pfizer and McKinsey.
Hiring a Big Pharma executive underscores Legend’s global ambition. In the second quarter of 2026, Johnson & Johnson-partnered Carvykti generated $657 million in sales, driven by 32% year-over-year growth in the U.S. and 128% expansion ex-U.S. as the multiple myeloma drug reached 19 global markets. Thanks to that Carvykti growth, Legend posted its first profit during the quarter with $63 million in adjusted net income.
Zhang spent most of her Novartis time in China. Before moving to the Novartis International job mid-2024, she oversaw 17% year-over-year growth at constant currencies for Novartis’ China business in 2023 to about $3.3 billion sales.
Legend likely landed Zhang before Sept. 15. About a month ago, reports in China cited a Novartis internal communication dated Aug. 19 stating that Zhang had decided to leave the Swiss pharma in pursuit of an external opportunity.
Zhang confirmed his departure from Novartis in a LinkedIn post during the past weekend. The post gave a hint at what the Big Pharma veteran might focus on next for Legend.
“In Poland, I learned the lesson that has stayed with me ever since: a breakthrough medicine means nothing until a patient can actually access it. That truth shaped how I've led ever since,” Zhang wrote, referring to a two-year stint she had spent as Novartis’ country president in Poland.
Before Zhang’s promotion to Basel, Novartis had just won national coverage in China for its breast cancer drug Kisqali, a key growth driver for the company.
Zhang will now lead Legend’s shift from overcoming supply constraints to maximizing Carvykti’s commercial potential and meeting full market demand, just as new competitors emerge.
With more than 3,000 employees, Legend currently boasts as the largest standalone cell therapy company.
In a Sept. 15 statement, Legend Chairman Frank Zhang, Ph.D., highlighted Zhang’s “strategic vision, operational discipline, and experience leading complex global businesses.”
“It is a privilege to join Legend Biotech at an important moment in the company’s growth,” Zhang said in a statement. “Legend Biotech has established itself as a global leader in cell therapy through its commitment to scientific innovation, operational excellence, and transforming outcomes for patients. I look forward to working with the talented team at Legend to build on this strong foundation, advance our pipeline, expand our impact, and execute on our long-term growth strategy.”
According to a securities filing (PDF) by Legend, the company’s employment agreement with Zhang includes an annual base salary of $950,000, plus a discretionary annual cash bonus with a target of 90% of her base salary. In a welcome package, Zhang will receive a restricted stock award worth at least $10 million and a signing bonus of $150,000.