Maky Zanganeh

Dr. Maky Zanganeh is a globally recognized biotechnology executive, entrepreneur, and healthcare innovator whose leadership has helped shape some of the most significant advances in modern oncology. As Co-Chief Executive Officer and President of Summit Therapeutics, she has built a reputation for transforming breakthrough scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients around the world.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Dr. Zanganeh's remarkable journey spans four countries and three continents. After leaving Iran with her family during a period of political upheaval, she continued her education in Germany and France, earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg and later completing an MBA at Schiller International University. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and business acumen would become the foundation of an extraordinary career in healthcare innovation.

Before entering the biotechnology industry, Dr. Zanganeh practiced pediatric dentistry and later joined Computer Motion, a pioneering surgical robotics company. There, she played a leadership role in expanding robotic surgery worldwide and contributed to Operation Lindbergh, the world's first transatlantic robotic surgery, a landmark achievement that demonstrated the future potential of remote healthcare technologies.

Dr. Zanganeh is perhaps best known for her tenure at Pharmacyclics, where she served in several executive leadership positions, culminating as Chief Operating Officer. She was instrumental in the development and commercialization of IMBRUVICA®, a groundbreaking therapy for blood cancers that transformed treatment options for patients worldwide. Her leadership helped drive the company's growth and ultimately contributed to its landmark $21 billion acquisition by AbbVie, one of the largest biotechnology transactions in industry history.

Since joining Summit Therapeutics in 2020, Dr. Zanganeh has guided the company's evolution into a leading oncology-focused biopharmaceutical organization. As Co-CEO and President, she has championed the development of innovative cancer therapies designed to improve both patient outcomes and quality of life. Her strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to patient-centered care have established her as one of the biotechnology industry's most influential leaders.

A breast cancer survivor, bestselling author of "The Magic of Normal,' and advocate for women in science and business, Dr. Zanganeh draws upon her personal experiences to inspire resilience, leadership, and innovation. In 2025, she was recognized by Forbes as one of America's richest self-made women, reflecting both her entrepreneurial success and her profound impact on healthcare. Through her work, she continues to bridge the worlds of science, business, and human compassion, advancing therapies that offer hope to patients around the globe. (