Introduction
In the vast world of pharmaceuticals, very few rise from obscurity to global impact—fewer still do it while breaking barriers, surviving personal trials, and pioneering lifesaving therapies. Dr. Maky Zanganeh, an Iranian-American entrepreneur and biotech strategist, is one such trailblazer. From her beginnings as a dentist to leading billion-dollar drug deals, Zanganeh’s ascent is a testament to courage, grit, and vision. Her story traverses continents, technology, and medicine, culminating in her transformation as a billionaire and a driving force in oncology innovation—bringing hope to millions, inspiring women, and redefining what is possible in healthcare.
Early Life: From Iran to the World Stage
Born in Tehran, Zanganeh’s childhood was shaped by resilience amid upheaval—from the Iranian Revolution to immigration. She obtained her DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) in France, but a passion for business and technology soon set her on an unconventional path. Relocating to the U.S., she joined Computer Motion, a pioneer in surgical robotics, and played a pivotal role in “Operation Lindbergh”—the world’s first transatlantic robotic surgery, proving that advanced medicine could transcend borders.
Breakthroughs in Biotech: Innovation and Leadership
In 2004, Zanganeh invested in Pharmacyclics, a struggling biotech on the brink of collapse, then joined the management team in 2008. As Chief Operating Officer, she drove development and commercialization of ibrutinib (Imbruvica), a revolutionary oral therapy for blood cancers. By engineering bold partnerships—most notably, with Johnson & Johnson—she secured unprecedented upfront payments, maintained U.S. commercial rights for Pharmacyclics, and ensured global reach for the drug. Imbruvica® was hailed as a “game changer,” restoring hope for thousands of patients.
Under her leadership, Pharmacyclics rebounded spectacularly. The approval of Imbruvica led to rapid market adoption and, in 2015, to AbbVie’s $21 billion acquisition—the second-largest transaction in biotech history. Zanganeh herself became a billionaire through equity in the deal.
Global Impact: Changing Cancer Care
Imbruvica not only earned industry accolades—including the Prix Galien for “Best Pharmaceutical Agent”—but also set a new standard in cancer therapy. Unlike earlier chemotherapy agents, it was less toxic, easier to administer, and marked a shift towards patient-centric innovation. Zanganeh’s insistence on “The Magic of Normal”—restoring normalcy to patients’ lives—resonated across global oncology circles, leading to improved survival rates and quality of life.
Summit Therapeutics: Visionary at the Helm
In 2020, after a personal battle with breast cancer, Zanganeh joined Summit Therapeutics, a biopharma challenger committed to novel cancer therapies. Within two years, she was named Co-CEO and President, leading the charge on therapies for lung and other cancers. Summit’s commitment to “patient- and physician-friendly” innovation echoes Zanganeh’s lifelong philosophy—medicine must serve humanity, not just medicine. Under her guidance, Summit is redefining clinical research, global partnerships, and the biotech business model.
Perseverance and the Power of Personal Story
Zanganeh’s career has been shaped as much by personal adversity as by ambition. As a single mother, she balanced international dealmaking with the realities of raising her son Shaun—a journey marked by sleepless nights, long meetings, and trans-Atlantic family logistics. In 2019, Zanganeh herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Facing surgeries and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, she experienced firsthand the vulnerability, hope, and courage she had dedicated her career to improving.
She emerged from this challenge determined to transform healthcare with renewed empathy and conviction: “Hope is everything—it gives us the strength to face the unknown and the courage to heal.”
Championing Women and Diversity in Science
A passionate advocate for gender diversity, Zanganeh openly shares her experiences of balancing professional and personal spheres. Her ascent—often in male-dominated industries—serves as an inspiration for women globally. She emphasizes that “motherhood, leadership, and entrepreneurship can coexist—and thrive,” encouraging women to break through boundaries in every field.
Legacy: Reinventing What’s Possible
Maky Zanganeh has led some of biotech’s biggest innovations and deals, but her greatest contribution is her vision—a healthcare system fueled by compassion, creativity, and bold thinking. Whether launching a pioneering cancer drug, executing billion-dollar transactions, or mentoring the next generation, Zanganeh stands as a testament to reinvention and resilience.
Her journey proves that success is not simply measured by financial achievement, but by lives changed, barriers broken, and new possibilities realized. Through every challenge, Zanganeh remains a beacon: transforming adversity into triumph for herself, her industry, and the world.
