Dr. Patrick Soon-Shoing
Soon-Shiong graduated from high school at age 16 and became a doctor at 23. He Invented the cancer drug Abraxane. He sold his drug companies Abraxis in 2010 and American Pharmaceutical Partners in 2008 for a combined $9.1 billion. He took his cancer drug maker NantKwest public in 2015 and his biotech startup NantHealth public in 2016.He owns NantWorks, a network of health startups, and has stakes in media firm Tribune Publishing and the Los Angeles Lakers. He bought the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Tribune for $500 million in June 2018.In May 2020, Soon-Shiong’s ImmunityBio was selected for the federal government’s “Operation Warp Speed” to help quickly develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
EducationMaster of Science, University of British Columbia; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Witwatersrand; Medical Doctor, University of Witwatersrand
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is widely regarded as one of the foremost doctors and medical innovators globally, known not only for his expertise as a transplant surgeon but also for his success as a billionaire entrepreneur, bioscientist, and media proprietor. A South African-American, Dr. Soon-Shiong is credited with the development of Abraxane, a groundbreaking chemotherapy drug that has proven effective against lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers, revolutionizing cancer treatment.
Dr. Soon-Shiong’s academic journey began at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, where he earned his medical degree by the age of 23. He later pursued a Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia and moved to the United States for his surgical training. In 1991, he started his career as a transplant surgeon, quickly rising to prominence for his innovative approaches to surgery and medical research.
During the 1980s, Dr. Soon-Shiong worked as a partner researcher at the Center for Ulcer Research and Education (CURE) and became known for his pioneering work in transplant surgery. He performed the first whole-pancreas transplant at UCLA and developed the experimental Type 1 diabetes treatment, which involved encapsulated-human-islet transplants. He also led the world’s first pig-to-human islet-cell transplant in diabetic patients, breaking new ground in transplantation science.
In 2009, after a successful career in industry, Dr. Soon-Shiong returned to UCLA, where he continues to serve as a professor of microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics, and bioengineering. In addition to his work at UCLA, he has held visiting professorships at Imperial College London and Dartmouth College, further cementing his status as an educator and thought leader.
Dr. Soon-Shiong is also the founder of NantWorks, a network of companies at the intersection of healthcare, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. His work in this area has focused on leveraging advanced technologies to combat diseases, particularly cancer. In 2016, he launched the National Immunotherapy Coalition, a collaborative effort designed to bring together competing pharmaceutical companies to explore and test cancer-fighting drug combinations. This initiative was a significant step toward improving cancer treatment and accelerating the development of new therapies.
Dr. Soon-Shiong has authored over 100 scientific papers and holds more than 230 patents, covering innovations in technology and medicine. He has played a key role in advancing genomic sequencing efforts aimed at personalizing cancer treatment, including working with then-Vice President and current President Joe Biden on the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, a bold endeavor to sequence the genomes of 100,000 patients and create a vast genetic database to better understand and combat cancer.
Despite his immense success, Dr. Soon-Shiong has faced scrutiny. In 2014, he made a $12 million donation to the University of Utah, which prompted an investigation by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the State of Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General. Both agencies ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing, confirming that no illegal transactions occurred.
Awards and Accolades:
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career for his contributions to medicine, research, and innovation, including:
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his significant contributions to medical science.
- Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine, highlighting his leadership in healthcare.
- Best in Business Award by Forbes for his achievements as a physician and entrepreneur.
- Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, honoring his dedication to improving global healthcare.
- National Academy of Inventors Fellow, recognizing his impactful innovations across multiple disciplines.
Beyond these prestigious honors, Dr. Soon-Shiong continues to push the boundaries of medicine through his role as Executive Director of the Wireless Health Institute at UCLA, and as an advisor and leader in the fields of biotechnology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. His visionary approach to blending medical science with cutting-edge technology has made him one of the most influential figures in modern healthcare.