Ike Ogbaa

Ike Ogbaa, MD, is a distinguished pharmaceutical physician and healthcare executive with extensive experience in medical affairs and clinical development. He currently serves as the Vice President & Global Head of Medical Affairs at Bluebird Bio, where he leads initiatives related to precision medicines for rare kidney diseases.12

Education and Early Life

Ike Ogbaa was born in Owerri, Nigeria, and moved to the United States at the age of 14. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology. He then pursued his medical degree at UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.12

Professional Experience

Dr. Ogbaa has held various leadership roles across prominent pharmaceutical companies, including:

• Chinook Therapeutics: Vice President & Head of Medical Affairs (April 2022 - Present)
• GSK: Executive Director - Senior Medical Affairs Leader (2021)
• Bayer Pharmaceuticals: Executive Medical Director for Cardio Renal (2020-2021)
• Sanofi: Senior Medical Director for New Products & Integrated Care Devices (2018-2020)
• Merck: Medical Affairs Director (2015-2018)

His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes, particularly in the areas of renal health and diabetes care.12

Contributions and Honors

Dr. Ogbaa is recognized for his contributions to the field, including speaking engagements at medical affairs strategy summits and receiving awards such as the Distinguished Member Award from the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas in 2017.1 He is also passionate about addressing health inequities in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to enhance access to innovative treatments in that region.2