Sam Wissa
About Sam Wissa
Sam Wissa serves as the Senior Director of Market Access & Reimbursement at Kite Pharma, bringing extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in oncology and managed care. He has held various roles at notable companies, including Amgen and NanoString Technologies, and has a strong background in global product launch and commercialization.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Sam Wissa serves as the Senior Director of Market Access & Reimbursement for the Rest of the World (ROW) at Kite Pharma. He has held this position since 2020. In this role, he focuses on developing strategies to enhance market access and reimbursement processes for Kite Pharma's innovative therapies. His responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of market access strategies that align with the company's goals in oncology.
Previous Experience in Market Access
Prior to his current role, Sam Wissa held various positions in market access within the pharmaceutical industry. He worked at NanoString Technologies, Inc. as the Senior Director of Global Market Access from 2018 to 2019 and as the Market Access Director for North America & Asia Pacific from 2014 to 2018. He also served as the Market Access Director at Onyx Pharmaceuticals from 2012 to 2014. His extensive experience in these roles has contributed to his expertise in managed care and channel sales.
Educational Background
Sam Wissa studied at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, where he completed his studies from 1992 to 1994. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, where he studied from 1986 to 1989. His educational background supports his technical and strategic capabilities in the pharmaceutical industry.
Career Progression in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Sam Wissa has a diverse career in the pharmaceutical sector, beginning at Amgen, where he worked in various roles from 1991 to 2006. His positions included Engineering Project Manager, Senior Construction Auditor, Pricing Manager, and Corporate Account Manager. He also worked at Celgene as a National Account Manager from 2008 to 2012. His career reflects a strong foundation in both engineering and market access, particularly in oncology.
Specialization in Oncology and Market Access
Sam Wissa specializes in managed care and channel sales within the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on oncology. He possesses expertise in global product launch and commercialization, strategic planning, pricing, and contracting. His extensive experience in these areas has positioned him as a knowledgeable leader in market access strategies for oncology products.