James Wassil | Chief Operating Officer
Vaxcyte

Jim brings extensive experience in the development and commercialization of vaccines having spent the past three decades in positions of increasing responsibility in the vaccine divisions of Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer. He was responsible for the development and launch of Menveo, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Bexsero along with the ABCWY vaccine candidate while at Novartis Vaccines. Most recently he worked at Pfizer, Inc as the business unit lead for Pfizer Vaccines, where he was responsible for market access, policy, pricing, tender negotiations, epidemiology and health outcomes for the full vaccine portfolio, including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine franchise (Prevnar 13). Previously he led international marketing for the pediatric vaccine franchise at Merck Vaccines where he launched RotaTeq, a vaccine for rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children, and held other technical and operational roles of increasing responsibility within research, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and technology transfer.

Mr. Wassil earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry/biology with high honors from the University of Notre Dame and a master of science degree in bio-organic chemistry and a master of business administration degree, both from Lehigh University.  In 2014, James received the VIVA Award as Novartis’ top scientist in 2014 for development and approval of Bexsero®.  He also was an ACE Finalist (Secretary of State Award for Corporate Excellence) for his role in conducting an effectiveness study of RotaTeq® in Nicaragua.