Following Frazier Healthcare Partners' investment in Knipper Health, Willis Chandler has officially been appointed as Knipper’s president and CEO.1
Accelerating treatment initiation through embedded technology
How exactly does Knipper aim to get patients started on treatment at a faster rate? The therapy inhiation partner utilizes embedded digital enrollment, real-time benefit investigation, and automated prior authorization right into provider workflow—these are also directly linked to various fulfillment options, such as specialty pharmacy, direct-to-patient (DTP) cash, free goods, samples, and third-party logistics (3PL) provider-administered programs.
The role of 3PL in Knipper’s value proposition
Last year, the company’s 3PL arm, Knipper 3PL, was featured in Pharma Commerce’s annual third-party logistics outlook,2 in which it explained the value of 3PLs over the decade, commenting that “the focus of the healthcare supply chain is to get therapies to patients who need them and conduct business in a way that is compliant and ethical while showing fiduciary responsibility that increases gross-to-net margins for the companies and investors who support them. 3PLs are an essential piece of this puzzle and provide cost-effective, compliant, efficient, and safe avenues to get products to the patients who need them. Over the next 10 years, manufacturers will continue to see that value and will continue to trust the right 3PLs for their specific program requirements.”
Key Takeaways
- Willis Chandler has been named CEO of Knipper Health following an investment by Frazier Healthcare Partners, bringing extensive experience in pharma services and a focus on scaling digital, patient-centric platforms.
- Knipper leverages embedded digital tools, such as real-time benefit checks and automated prior authorizations, within provider workflows to speed up treatment starts and align fulfillment with patient needs.
- Through its 3PL services and integrated delivery model, Knipper aims to enhance patient access while supporting biopharma partners with efficient, compliant, and cost-effective distribution strategies.
Patient-centric, gross-to-net optimized solutions
Essentially, all of the company’s services are centered around enhancing outcomes for both patients and biopharma partners by tailoring delivery to patient needs and maximizing gross-to-net efficiency.
Chandler’s pharmaceutical experience spans years in the pharma services space, powered by strategic leadership roles. His most recent position prior to Knipper was as executive in residence at Frazier, in which he was responsible for helping to powers investments and growth plans spanning the entire the pharmaceutical services ecosystem.
Prior to that, Chandler held various senior leadership roles, including as Cencora’s president of global pharma services, where he managed the wholesaler’s consulting, outsourced commercial operations, hub services, and distribution. Before his time at Cencora, Chandler co-founded Shields Health Solutions, a specialty pharmacy integrator serving health systems.
“Knipper is at the forefront of transforming therapy initiation through a data-enabled, patient-centric platform,” commented Nathan Every, general partner at Frazier. “We are excited to partner with Willis and the Knipper team to build on the company’s strong foundation and accelerate its growth. Willis’s experience across commercial pharma services makes him well-suited to lead Knipper through its next chapter.”
Strategic alignment with industry trends
Chandler will replace Michael Laferrera, who was at the helm for 13 years as president, and five and a half years as the CEO. Laerrera will continue to be involved with the company as a member of the board of directors.
“I’m thrilled to join Knipper at a time when we are redefining how quickly and efficiently patients begin therapy,” said Chandler. “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.”
Other members of the leadership team not only expressed approval of this move, but confidence in the direction that the company is headed in.
“Knipper is very well positioned to lead the next evolution in therapy access through a fully integrated, technology-driven platform,” expressed Frank Segrave, Knipper’s chairman of the board. “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.”
References
1. Willis Chandler to Lead Knipper Health as New President and Chief Executive Officer. Knipper Health. July 8, 2025. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.knipper.com/2025/07/08/willis-chandler-to-lead-knipper-health-as-new-president-and-chief-executive-officer/
2. Saraceno N. Willis Chandler to Lead Knipper Health as New President and Chief Executive Officer. Pharmaceutical Commerce. February 2, 2024. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/peeking-behind-the-curtain-the-current-state-of-pharma-3pls-and-future-outlook
