Diego Santoro is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of experience in global general management, market access, and commercial strategy, specializing in oncology, rare diseases, haemato-oncology, and biosimilars. Currently, as the Head of International Markets at Kite, a Gilead company, Diego oversees the commercialization and expansion of breakthrough cell therapies across Japan, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and South Korea. Under his leadership, Kite has successfully launched and expanded groundbreaking therapies like Yescarta and Tecartus, contributing to a transformative shift in personalized oncology treatments globally.

Diego's career spans senior leadership roles at Stiefel, GSK, Sandoz, Novartis, Gilead, and Kite, where he has spent over a decade specializing in oncology and has gained deep expertise in both Commercial and Research & Development domains. His experience with these renowned multinational companies has solidified his reputation as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in precision medicine and cell therapy.

At Kite, Diego manages a portfolio projected to exceed $200 million USD in net sales and directs strategic investments of over $20 million USD, with a focus on fostering healthcare innovation and increasing access to life-saving therapies. His leadership has been instrumental in launching Kite’s cell therapies in new markets such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia, as well as expanding clinical infrastructure, including the activation of 5 centers in Saudi Arabia and 14 in Brazil.

Diego’s expertise aligns closely with the Longevity and Precision Health theme at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. Diego has played a key role in ensuring the accessibility of cell therapies in diverse healthcare systems, including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Singapore, and beyond.

Before joining Kite, Diego held senior roles at Novartis Oncology, Sandoz, and GSK, where he led the growth of oncology and rare disease portfolios and managed large, complex global portfolios. His work involved negotiating high-stakes contracts with governments and healthcare providers, securing market access for innovative therapies across multiple regions. Diego’s ability to integrate scientific, regulatory, and market access expertise has enabled him to successfully launch and distribute therapies in challenging and varied markets.

Diego's strategic investments have been pivotal in accelerating the adoption of personalized medicine worldwide, ensuring that cutting-edge therapies reach patients in need. His leadership in market access strategies, along with his focus on expanding innovative treatments into new regions, reflects his unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare equity.

As a thought leader in precision health, Diego’s vision and experience position him as an ideal contributor to the discussions at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. His leadership in integrating precision therapies into global healthcare systems has made him a key player in advancing the longevity and precision health agendas. Diego’s insights on the future of oncology treatments, genomics, and healthcare innovation will undoubtedly provide invaluable perspectives for the global health community.

Diego holds a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of São Paulo and is deeply focused on advancing cell therapy to transform the future of oncology care.