Gökhan Özkan Appointed as AIFD Director of Health Policy
20.05.2026
Mol. Bio. Gökhan Özkan, who has made significant contributions across various roles at the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK), has been appointed as AIFD’s Director of Health Policy as of April 2026.
The Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AIFD), which works to accelerate access to innovative medicines and treatments in Türkiye and to strengthen Türkiye’s global competitiveness in pharmaceutical research and development, continues to expand its health policy team. Mol. Bio. Gökhan Özkan, appointed Director of Health Policy at AIFD as of April 2026, will carry out his work within the scope of the AIFD Health Science Policy Strategic Management Committee and will report to the Deputy Secretary General of AIFD. Drawing on his extensive expertise in regulatory frameworks relating to clinical trials, advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), drug–medical device combination products, tissue and cell products, and medical devices, Gökhan Özkan will strengthen the scientific and regulatory foundation of the association’s advocacy work with respect to health policy priorities, and will contribute to AIFD’s policy recommendations aligned with international standards.
Gökhan Özkan graduated from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in 2009 and completed his Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine in 2012. Having taken part in various research projects between 2009 and 2013, he joined the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK) in 2013. Between 2013 and 2021, he took on progressively greater responsibilities in the Department of Clinical Trials; between 2021 and 2026, he took on responsibilities in the Department of Medical Device Notified Bodies and Clinical Trials. Through his expertise in clinical trial regulations and the regulatory framework for pharmaceutical development and licensing, Özkan played a significant role in advancing clinical trial and ATMP legislation in Türkiye, contributed effectively to the operational requirements of COVID-19 vaccine development processes, and took a decisive part in the analysis, planning and implementation of the Agency’s electronic submission systems for clinical trials. He also served as a Scientific Advisor on the ATMP and Clinical Trials Evaluation Committees.