Emer Cooke is the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Union’s scientific agency responsible for the evaluation, supervision, and safety monitoring of human and veterinary medicines. She assumed the role on 16 November 2020 and brings over 30 years of experience in international regulatory affairs, including senior positions at EMA, the World Health Organization, and the European Commission. In her current role, she also serves as Chair of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA), coordinating regulatory collaboration among major medicines regulators worldwide.
Under Cooke’s leadership, EMA has continued to support timely access to innovative and safe medicines across the EU, maintaining high standards of scientific evaluation while responding to evolving public health needs. In 2024 the agency issued over 100 positive opinions for new human medicines, including first-in-class therapies and treatments for rare diseases, marking one of its strongest performance years in recent history. EMA has also advanced work to monitor and manage medicine shortages and launched the European Shortages Monitoring Platform to strengthen supply resilience. These developments reflect EMA’s ongoing role in facilitating access to medicines, strengthening regulatory science, and supporting public health across the EU and beyond.
The 100 CEOs featured here reflect the diversity and complexity of modern oncology leadership. In 2025, some lead the world’s largest cancer institutions; others guide specialized societies or emerging innovators. What unites them is responsibility: for millions of patients, for the integrity of science, and for the future direction of cancer care globally.
This list is not a celebration of power, but a recognition of stewardship, accountability, and impact – and of the leaders whose choices continue to shape the fight against cancer. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Most Influential CEOs in Oncology in 2025, and stay tuned for other special category nominations.
