Dr. Valeria Gigante is a Clinical Pharmacologist with 18 years of experience in research and development (R&D), medicines regulation, and public health policy at global, regional, and national levels. She joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017, focusing on pharmaceutical norms and standards for quality, safety and efficacy. Since 2021, she has led WHO’s R&D and innovation team coordinating efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this role, she oversees prioritization exercises to define strategic areas that, through partnerships, support the development of novel antimicrobials—including paediatric formulations—alongside vaccines and diagnostics. Prior to WHO, Dr. Gigante served as a Pharmaceutical Regulator at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and as a Clinical Assessor for marketing authorization and scientific advice at the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA).

She holds a Master’s degree in pharmacy with a specialization in microbiology and infection prevention and control, and earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” focusing on pharmacological interventions for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Additionally, she completed executive education in healthcare innovation at INSEAD and in global health diplomacy at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Dr. Gigante represents WHO on the Scientific Advisory Committees of GARDP, the AMR Action Fund, and the Global R&D Hub. She actively contributes to several WHO expert groups, including those on monoclonal antibodies, inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical trials, and the diagnostics task force. Committed to advancing science and innovation, she also serves on the Programme Committee for the ESCMID/GAMRIC Conference on Innovation in R&D.