Dr Laura Issa is a seasoned pharmaceutical professional with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of research and business. She is a future-focused leader with a passion for advancing healthcare through strategic investments and creative partnerships.
Dr Issa has a proven track record of driving commercial success through stakeholder engagement, market-shaping investments, and product development across diverse therapeutic areas, including oncology, neuroscience and digital health. Her expertise spans the academic, biotechnology, medtech, and pharmaceutical sectors, with experience ranging from discovery research to product launch.
Dr Issa served as a Strategic Medical Partner at Roche Products Pty Ltd between 2022 – 2024. Prior to this, she held senior positions in business development and licensing at AbbVie Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Aspen Pharmacare, and in university technology transfer and clinical research.
Dr Issa is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, serving as network champion at Roche and AbbVie and supporting organizations like the Australian Disability Network. She actively contributes to shaping the healthcare ecosystem through her roles on FSHD Global Research Foundation, Ausbiotech and InGeNA.
Dr Issa holds a PhD from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, an MBA from UNSW, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
