Willis Chandler Takes the Helm as President and CEO of Knipper Health, Driving Innovation in Therapy Initiation

New Leadership at Knipper Health



On July 8, 2025, Frazier Healthcare Partners announced the appointment of Willis Chandler as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Knipper Health. Based in Lakewood, New Jersey, Knipper is a pioneering healthcare organization that focuses on transforming therapy initiation for patients. This announcement marks a significant shift in the company's leadership as it aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative solutions that streamline the treatment process.

Background on Knipper Health


Knipper Health works diligently to facilitate quicker treatment initiation for patients. By leveraging advanced technology, they integrate digital enrollment processes, real-time benefit inquiries, and automated prior authorization into healthcare providers' workflows. This not only helps in expediting patient access to therapies but also aligns them with a range of fulfillment alternatives, including specialty pharmacy, direct-to-patient cash programs, and even provider-administered initiatives. Their goal is to customize therapy delivery to meet individual patient needs and optimize overall performance for both patients and biopharmaceutical partners.

Strategic Vision with Chandler at the Helm


Willis Chandler brings an extensive amount of experience and a proven track record in pharmaceutical services to Knipper Health. Before joining the company, Chandler served as an Executive in Residence at Frazier, where he guided investments and growth strategies within the pharmaceutical services sector. His experience includes high-level roles at Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) as President of Global Pharma Services, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio comprising hub services, consulting, and distribution.

Chandler's leadership experience doesn't stop there; he also co-founded Shields Health Solutions, a specialized pharmacy integrator for health systems, and held key leadership positions at CVS Health. His extensive background positions him well to advance Knipper's mission and tackle the challenges within the healthcare industry.

A New Era for Therapy Initiation


Nathan Every, General Partner at Frazier, expressed enthusiasm about Chandler's appointment, emphasizing his deep knowledge of commercial pharma services and his ability to drive the next growth chapter of Knipper Health. He stated, "Knipper is at the forefront of transforming therapy initiation through a data-enabled, patient-centric platform. We are excited to partner with Willis and the Knipper team to build on the Company's strong foundation."

Chandler himself expressed eagerness about taking on this new leadership role at Knipper during a transformative time. He said, "I’m thrilled to join Knipper at a time when we are redefining how quickly and efficiently patients begin therapy. By embedding real-time medical and pharmacy automation at the point of care, aligning fulfillment to patient needs, and powering decisions with actionable data, I look forward to accelerating our mission to create a faster, more efficient path from order to therapy."

Transition and Future Prospects


Chandler's leadership replaces Michael Laferrera, who has successfully led Knipper Health for the past thirteen years. Laferrera was instrumental in expanding the company’s core offerings and steering multiple acquisition strategies that have strengthened Knipper’s position in the market. Although stepping down from the top role, Laferrera will remain involved with the company as a valuable member of the Board of Directors, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in leadership.

Frank Segrave, Chairman of the Board at Knipper, underscored Chandler's vision for the company, remarking, "Willis brings the expertise and vision to scale this model for Biopharma, and we look forward to his leadership in our next phase of growth."

Conclusion


As Knipper Health enters this new chapter with Willis Chandler at the helm, the industry eagerly anticipates a wave of innovations aimed at enhancing therapy initiation processes. By leveraging a patient-centered approach combined with advanced data analytics, Knipper aims to streamline access to therapies like never before, thereby reinforcing its various partnerships within the biopharmaceutical landscape. For more information, visit Knipper Health.

Topics Health)

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