Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Anthropic by the company’s Long-Term Benefit Trust, marking a significant addition of healthcare and life sciences expertise to the AI firm’s leadership.
A physician-scientist by training, Narasimhan brings extensive experience in developing and delivering innovative medicines within highly regulated environments. During his tenure, he has overseen the development and approval of more than 35 novel therapies globally, which aligns closely with Anthropic’s focus on deploying advanced technologies safely and at scale.
Anthropic Co-founder and President Daniela Amodei highlighted Narasimhan’s track record in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and delivering breakthrough innovations. She noted that his expertise will be instrumental as the company continues to advance AI technologies with a strong emphasis on safety, scalability, and societal impact.
Anthropic operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, with governance structured to balance commercial success with its mission of developing AI for the long-term benefit of humanity. A key component of this structure is the Long-Term Benefit Trust, an independent body without financial stake in the company, which plays a central role in board appointments and oversight.
With Narasimhan’s inclusion, Trust-appointed directors now form the majority of Anthropic’s board, reinforcing its commitment to responsible AI governance. He joins an established group of board members, including Dario Amodei, Daniela Amodei, Yasmin Razavi, Jay Kreps, Reed Hastings, and Chris Liddell.
Neil “Buddy” Shah, Chair of Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust, emphasised that Narasimhan’s career in responsibly stewarding scientific innovation makes him a valuable addition as the company develops increasingly impactful AI systems.
Narasimhan also underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming healthcare, noting its potential to accelerate scientific discovery, deepen understanding of disease biology, and enable the development of more effective treatments. He expressed confidence in Anthropic’s approach to building AI systems that prioritise human benefit and ethical deployment.
The appointment reflects a broader trend of convergence between AI and life sciences, as companies seek leadership with cross-disciplinary expertise to guide innovation responsibly. For Anthropic, bringing in a global healthcare leader signals a strategic emphasis on applying AI to complex, high-impact domains such as medicine and public health, while maintaining strong governance frameworks.
