About Maky
A Pioneering Force in Global Biotechnology
Dr. Maky Zanganeh is a pioneering force in global biotechnology—an entrepreneur, executive leader, and innovator whose visionary approach to business and healthcare has transformed the industry. Renowned for her ability to bridge science and business, Dr. Zanganeh has led breakthrough advancements in oncology, surgical robotics, and patient-friendly therapies across a career that spans continents and industries. She has earned a reputation as one of the most influential figures in biotechnology.
"Take responsibility, and the ability will follow."
Her Journey
A Life Spread Over Three Continents and Four Countries
Born in Iran in 1970, Dr. Maky Zanganeh has navigated a remarkable journey across three continents and four countries, overcoming profound personal and professional challenges along the way.
She began her education at Jeanne d'Arc School in Tehran, where she received a Franco-Iranian academic foundation. Driven by resilience and ambition, she continued her studies in Germany, earning her high school diploma before joining her two sisters in Strasbourg, France. There, she obtained her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Her sisters pursued medicine at the renowned Louis Pasteur University, becoming a cardiologist and a gynecologist, respectively.
After several years in pediatric dentistry, where she treated critically ill and vulnerable children, Dr. Zanganeh came to a powerful realization: the world needed a broader, systemic change. Dentristry offered stability, but her vision extended far beyond private practice. Determined to make a broader impact, she went on to earn an MBA and entered the fast moving world of healthcare and biotech industries.
Summit Therapeutics: Redefining Cancer Care
She currently serves as Co-CEO, President, and Board Member of Summit Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing patient- and physician-friendly oncology treatments. Under her leadership, Summit is redefining what's possible in cancer care, delivering novel therapies with global impact.
Pharmacylics Inc.
In 2004, Zanganeh invested in Pharmacyclics, a struggling biotech company, then joined the management team in 2008, and became chief operating officer, where she was a driving force behind the global success of IMBRUVICA®, a breakthrough treatment for blood cancer. Her leadership was instrumental in the landmark $21 billion acquisition of Pharmacyclics by AbbVie—the second-largest transaction in biopharma history.
Robotic-Surgery Breakthrough: Operation Lindbergh
Dr. Zanganeh also held key leadership positions at Computer Motion Inc., a pioneering company in robotic surgery, which later merged with Intuitive Surgical Inc. in 2003. One of her most notable achievements at Computer Motion was Operation Lindbergh in 2001 where, in collaboration with professor marescaux and the IRCAD team, they performed the world's first transatlantic robotic surgery, between New York and France, demonstrating that surgeons could operate on a patient across the Atlantic via robot, a milestone that collapsed geographical barriers in medicine.
Multilingual, Multidisciplinary Leader
Fluent in French, German, Farsi, and English, Dr. Zanganeh holds a Doctorate in Dental Surgery and an MBA. Her philosophy—"Take responsibility, and the ability will follow"—underscores her relentless drive to lead with purpose and impact.
She is widely recognized for her unique ability to bridge the gap between science and business, ensuring that innovation translates into real world impact.
Author & Cancer Survivor
In addition to her executive leadership, Dr. Zanganeh is a bestselling author. Her memoir, The Magic of Normal: Hope, Love, and Beyond (Forbes Books, 2025) earned the Gold Medalist honor at the Global Book Awards in 2025 and is an inspiring reflection on resilience, purpose, and transformation.
In The Magic of Normal, Dr. Zanganeh shares her inspiring journey as a businesswoman, biotech CEO, and cancer survivor. Amidst the challenges of battling cancer and navigating the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, she found strength in perseverance and the power of the human spirit. Her story is a testament to resilience, chronicling her fight against illness, her achievements in bringing patient-friendly cancer treatments to market, and the inspiring people she encountered along the way.
From the halls of MD Anderson Cancer Center as a patient & care giver to her father battling cancer, to groundbreaking work in medical research, she illustrates how science, innovation, and community can illuminate the path to recovery.
Looking Forward
From revolutionizing cancer care to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders, Dr. Maky Zanganeh's journey is far from over. Her work continues to inspire a new era of healthcare—where compassion, innovation, and vision move hand in hand to shape a healthier, more hopeful world. The Magic of Normal serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing life's challenges, reminding us that with courage and determination, we can all rediscover and embrace the magic of normal.
Learn more about Maky and her story through her memoir, The Magic of Normal.