Robert Duggan, biotech entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune by identifying overlooked medical assets and scaling them into blockbuster businesses. He is best known for leading Pharmacyclics as CEO and majority owner, turning the company into a major oncology success through the development of Imbruvica, before selling it to AbbVie in a multibillion-dollar deal. Known for bold conviction, aggressive capital deployment, and a willingness to bet heavily on scientific outcomes, Duggan has become one of the most successful dealmakers in modern biotechnology.

Randal J. Kirk, biotech entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune by creating and scaling life-sciences companies focused on drug development, specialty pharmaceuticals, and healthcare innovation. Best known as the founder of Intrexon and as the driving force behind multiple public biotech ventures, Kirk has pursued an aggressive strategy of acquiring scientific platforms, recruiting top research talent, and commercializing high-value therapies. His long-term influence spans pharmaceuticals, genetics, and medical technology, reflecting a rare ability to combine capital markets skill with scientific ambition.

Peter Gassner, cofounder and CEO of Veeva Systems, built one of the most successful vertical software companies by focusing exclusively on cloud solutions for the life sciences industry. After an early career at Salesforce, where he helped scale enterprise cloud adoption, Gassner launched Veeva in 2007 to serve pharmaceutical and biotech companies with regulated, mission-critical applications. Under his leadership, Veeva became a publicly traded, highly profitable software company known for deep industry specialization, long-term customer relationships, and disciplined execution. Gassner’s approach exemplifies the power of focus and vertical expertise in enterprise software.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, physician, biotech entrepreneur, and investor, built one of the most consequential careers at the intersection of medicine, science, and capital. After developing the cancer drug Abraxane, which he sold to Celgene in a multibillion-dollar deal, Soon-Shiong went on to found and back numerous life-sciences companies focused on immunotherapy, data-driven medicine, and personalized healthcare. Beyond biotech, he is the owner of the Los Angeles Times and has invested heavily in medical research, AI-enabled health systems, and pandemic preparedness. His work reflects a long-term ambition to reengineer healthcare around biology, data, and scalable innovation.

Osman Kibar, founder and CEO of Samara, is a biotech entrepreneur focused on regenerative medicine, aiming to restore organ function rather than manage disease. Trained as a materials scientist, Kibar launched Samara to develop therapies that activate the body’s innate repair mechanisms, starting with severe osteoarthritis. By combining developmental biology with advanced drug discovery, he has positioned the company at the frontier of tissue regeneration. Kibar’s work reflects a long-horizon approach to biotech innovation centered on curative science.

Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, is a leading biotech entrepreneur and venture creator known for inventing companies at the intersection of science and breakthrough innovation. Through Flagship, he has co-founded and incubated dozens of life-sciences companies, most notably Moderna, helping pioneer the mRNA platform that reshaped vaccine development and global public health. Trained as a chemical engineer, Afeyan combines deep scientific rigor with venture discipline, backing long-horizon technologies across biology, health, and sustainability. His work has made Flagship a cornerstone of modern biotech company creation.

Mitchell Rales, cofounder of Danaher Corporation, is one of America’s most successful industrial builders, known for pairing disciplined capital allocation with a relentless focus on operational excellence. Alongside his brother Steven, Rales transformed Danaher from a small real estate company into a global science and technology conglomerate by pioneering the Danaher Business System, a management framework rooted in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing. After stepping back from day-to-day operations, Rales has remained an influential investor and philanthropist, supporting education, public policy, and cultural institutions through the Rales Foundation and Glenstone Museum.

Ming Hsieh, founder and executive chairman of Fulgent Genetics, built a leading precision diagnostics company by applying advanced automation, data systems, and scalable lab infrastructure to genetic testing. After decades as a successful entrepreneur in aerospace simulation software, Hsieh founded Fulgent in 2011 and guided it from a startup into a publicly traded genomics platform offering comprehensive clinical and diagnostic testing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fulgent rapidly scaled nationwide testing capacity, demonstrating its operational agility and cementing its position in molecular diagnostics. Known for his engineering rigor and long-term vision, Hsieh has also emerged as a major philanthropist supporting education, medical research, and STEM initiatives.

Julian Baker, cofounder of Baker Bros. Advisors, is one of the most successful investors in the biotechnology industry, building a multibillion-dollar hedge fund focused on high-conviction positions in drug development and life sciences. Together with his brother Felix, he has backed breakthrough therapeutics and major biotech companies including Seagen, Incyte, and Alexion, often taking large, long-term positions and working closely with management teams. Known for rigorous scientific analysis, patience, and a deep understanding of clinical risk, Baker has become a central figure in biotech capital markets, influencing the trajectory of drug innovation while maintaining one of the top track records in the sector.

Joseph Edelman, founder and CEO of Perceptive Advisors, is one of the most successful and influential biotech hedge fund managers of the modern era. Since launching the firm in 1999, he has built Perceptive into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse specializing in life sciences, backing breakthrough companies across biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare innovation. Known for his deep scientific understanding, high-conviction portfolio strategy, and early identification of transformative therapies, Edelman has consistently ranked among the top performers in healthcare investing. His disciplined, research-driven approach has made Perceptive a critical source of capital for emerging biotech and a defining force in the global life sciences ecosystem.

John Oyler, cofounder and chairman of BeiGene, is one of the most prominent figures in global oncology drug development, helping build a multinational biopharmaceutical company centered on innovative, accessible cancer therapies. After successful ventures in medical technology and data analytics, he launched BeiGene in 2010 with a mission to integrate world-class research with large-scale clinical operations across Asia, Europe, and the United States. Under his leadership, the company has developed breakthrough cancer drugs, secured major partnerships with industry leaders like Novartis and Amgen, and scaled into a global enterprise listed on multiple exchanges. Known for his scientist–entrepreneur mindset, Oyler has reshaped how biotech innovation and commercialization connect across continents.

Dr. Hao Hong, founder, chairman, and CEO of Asymchem Laboratories, has built the company into a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) serving the pharmaceutical industry. Since establishing the firm in 1997, he has guided its expansion into advanced R&D services, green chemistry solutions, and large-scale manufacturing for biotech and pharma clients worldwide. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Hong has positioned Asymchem as a key partner in accelerating drug development and advancing healthcare globally.

George Yancopoulos, cofounder, president, and chief scientific officer of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, is one of the most accomplished scientist-executives in biotechnology. A Columbia-trained physician and molecular immunologist, he helped shape Regeneron’s R&D engine, leading to breakthrough therapies in ophthalmology, immunology, oncology, and infectious disease. Under his guidance, the company developed Eylea, a blockbuster treatment for macular degeneration, and partnered in creating COVID-19 antibody therapies. With hundreds of patents and a reputation for scientific rigor, Yancopoulos has become a driving force behind Regeneron’s rise as a global biotech leader.

Cyrus Poonawalla is the chairman of Poonawalla Group, which includes the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by doses, Serum Institute of India. Known for his significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, his wealth and influence extend globally.