Kemal Malik was born in Slough, United Kingdom, on September 29, 1962. He studied medicine in London, graduating as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1987. Malik subsequently spent several years in clinical medicine at the Northwick Park Clinical Research Centre and at Hammersmith Hospital, London. He then held various positions of increasing responsibility in medical affairs and clinical development at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Malik joined Bayer in 1995 as Head of Metabolism and Oncology Europe in the then Pharmaceuticals Business Group. He subsequently served as Head of Global Medical Development before being appointed Head of Global Development and a member of the Executive Committee of Bayer HealthCare AG until his appointment to the Board of Management of Bayer AG.