David Hennessy
About David Hennessy
David Hennessy serves as the Vice President of Sales at Kite Pharma, where he has led significant growth in the rare hematological oncology sector. With a robust background in sales and marketing at companies like AstraZeneca and Genentech, he has a proven track record of exceeding sales expectations and successfully launching specialty products.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
David Hennessy serves as the Vice President of Sales at Kite Pharma, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he leads a diverse team of account and sales professionals in the rare hematological oncology space. Under his leadership, the team has achieved year-over-year growth exceeding 70%. Hennessy collaborates with key functional heads across various departments, including Marketing, Manufacturing, Access, Legal, and Medical, to drive growth in the CAR T business.
Previous Experience at AstraZeneca
Hennessy worked at AstraZeneca from 1996 to 2003, where he held a series of progressively senior field and management roles. He returned to AstraZeneca in various capacities, including Executive Director of CV Specialty from 2010 to 2013 and Area Sales Director from 2007 to 2010. During his tenure, he designed and launched a National Cardiovascular/Hospital field team and delivered multiple successful product launches and turnarounds.
Sales Leadership at Genentech
At Genentech, Hennessy held several key positions, including National Sales Director for Respiratory from 2013 to 2016 and Lytics Marketing Director & Lifecycle Leader from 2016 to 2018. He led a multi-product Stroke Marketing team with full P&L responsibility and contributed to the Phase 3 development of a new Stroke treatment in the TIMELESS trial. He also played a significant role in tripling sales of Xolair over three years.
Education and Academic Background
David Hennessy earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix, studying business from 2001 to 2003. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he studied from 1990 to 1993. His educational background has provided a strong foundation for his career in sales and marketing within the pharmaceutical industry.
Contributions to MyoKardia
Hennessy briefly served as Vice President of Sales at MyoKardia in 2020. During his time there, he designed and recruited a Cardiovascular Rare Disease Field organization, collaborating closely with other functional heads. His efforts contributed to the strategic growth of the organization in a competitive market.