Tomasello has more than 30 years of life science experience
Shawn Tomasello has been appointed to the newly created position of chief commercial officer at Kite Pharma. Ms. Tomasello will build Kite’s commercial and medical affairs operations, reporting to Dr. Arie Belldegrun, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, and Cynthia M. Butitta, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
Ms. Tomasello has more than 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry having led commercial and medical affairs efforts at Pharmacyclics and commercial efforts at Celgene and Genentech.
Prior to joining the company, she served as chief commercial officer at Pharmacyclics, during which time the brand Imbruvica was awarded the 2015 Prix Galien Award for Best Pharmaceutical Agent. Previously, she held senior leadership positions at Celgene Corp., including president of the Americas, Hematology and Oncology, responsible for all aspects of commercial sales and marketing for six brands encompassing 11 indications.
“Shawn’s tremendous record of accomplishment, including her leadership of three of the most successful programs in hematology-oncology, will be invaluable as we advance our lead product candidate, KTE-C19, in the clinic and prepare for commercialization,” said Dr. Belldegrun. “We are thrilled that she is joining our team at this important time for Kite.”
