Stewart Rahr is the billionaire founder of Kinray, which he grew into the largest privately held pharmaceutical distributor in the world before its $1.3 billion sale to Cardinal Health in 2010. Known as the self-styled "Number One King of All Fun," Rahr is a permanent fixture in New York’s high-society and philanthropic circles. His Stewart J. Rahr Foundation has donated over $25 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation alone, alongside significant contributions to cancer and medical research. A flamboyant figure with a reputation for grand charity galas and celebrity connections, he remains a central force in American philanthropy and land stewardship in the Hamptons.

Stephane Bancel is the CEO of Moderna, the biotechnology firm that gained global prominence for its pioneering use of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Since taking the helm in 2011, Bancel transitioned the company from a pre-clinical startup into a commercial powerhouse, most notably leading the rapid development and global distribution of one of the first COVID-19 vaccines. His leadership is characterized by an aggressive "platform" approach to drug development, aiming to treat everything from rare genetic diseases to cancer and respiratory viruses by turning human cells into drug factories. Under his tenure, Moderna has become a symbol of the genomic revolution, reshaping the pharmaceutical industry’s traditional R&D timelines.

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.

Phillip Frost, physician and entrepreneur, built a biotechnology empire by identifying undervalued medical assets and scaling them through disciplined science-driven investing. As founder and chairman of OPKO Health, Frost assembled a diversified healthcare platform spanning diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies, often through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Earlier in his career, he sold IVAX Corporation to Teva in a multibillion-dollar transaction, cementing his reputation as a leading dealmaker in life sciences. Known for a long-term approach to innovation and capital allocation, Frost remains a central figure in global healthcare entrepreneurship.

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.

Pablo Legorreta, founder and CEO of Royalty Pharma, built a category-defining firm by pioneering royalty-based investing in biopharmaceutical innovation. After founding the company in 1996, Legorreta created a model that provides non-dilutive capital to drug developers in exchange for royalty streams on approved medicines, helping finance breakthroughs while managing risk through diversified cash flows. Under his leadership, Royalty Pharma scaled into a multibillion-dollar, publicly traded platform that partners with leading biotech companies and academic institutions worldwide, reshaping how life-science innovation is funded.

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.

Leonard Schleifer, cofounder and CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, built one of the most successful biotech companies in the world by combining scientific rigor with long-term investment in research. A trained neurologist turned entrepreneur, he launched Regeneron in 1988 and steered it through decades of discovery to blockbuster drugs such as Eylea, Dupixent, and leading monoclonal antibody therapies. Under his leadership, Regeneron became known for its genetics platform, deep scientific culture, and partnerships that accelerated medical breakthroughs. Schleifer’s blend of clinical expertise, business discipline, and research focus has made him a defining figure in the modern biotechnology landscape.

Marc Coucke, Belgian entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune as the cofounder of Omega Pharma, transforming a small over-the-counter medicine distributor into one of Europe’s largest consumer healthcare companies before selling it to Perrigo for billions. After the sale, Coucke diversified through his investment company Alychlo, acquiring and backing businesses across pharmaceuticals, hospitality, sports, real estate, and leisure—including theme parks, luxury resorts, and the Belgian football club R.S.C. Anderlecht. Known for his charismatic style, bold dealmaking, and expansive portfolio, Coucke has become one of Belgium’s most influential business figures, blending entrepreneurial drive with high-profile investments across Europe.

Jack Schuler, veteran healthcare executive and investor, is best known for his leadership at Abbott Laboratories and Stericycle, where he helped build two of America’s most successful healthcare companies. After serving as president and COO of Abbott, he became CEO of Stericycle, transforming it into a multibillion-dollar medical waste management leader. Later, through his investment firm, he backed numerous biotech and medical device startups, shaping the future of healthcare innovation. A noted philanthropist, Schuler has also supported education and healthcare initiatives through the Schuler Education Foundation.

Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, has guided the India-based company into a global player in generics, specialty medicines, and innovative drug discovery. Since taking leadership in 2001, he has expanded Glenmark’s presence to over 80 countries, strengthened its R&D capabilities, and advanced its pipeline in oncology, dermatology, and respiratory therapies. With a blend of entrepreneurial drive and scientific focus, Saldanha has positioned Glenmark as a respected name in the international pharmaceutical industry while continuing his family’s legacy in healthcare.

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.

Boliang Lou is a Chinese-American entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Pharmaron, a leading global contract research and development firm in pharma services established in 2003. A PhD in organic chemistry and former research head at Advanced SynTech, Lou expanded Pharmaron into a multinational enterprise recognized for innovation (e.g., Beijing Overseas Returnee Entrepreneur awards) and strategic partnerships in biotech. 

Dilip Shanghvi is an Indian billionaire businessman, best known as the founder of Sun Pharmaceuticals, the largest pharmaceutical company in India and among the top generic drug makers in the world. His strategic vision and leadership have made significant impacts on the pharmaceutical industry globally.