WE Convention 2025: Dr. Maky Zanganeh, Co-CEO and President, Summit Therapeutics "The mindset shift I recommend is this: don't chase "having it all." Instead, define what matters most to you, and align your choices around that."
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This article is featured in our special WE Convention 2025 supplement, a collaborative publication by the WE Council and Entrepreneur Middle East.
A visionary biotech Leader, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, United Nations speaker, and author, Dr. Maky Zanganeh has built a career defined by courage, innovation, and impact by transforming the landscape of oncology and global healthcare. "I have always wanted to make a greater impact — to be part of something that could truly transform lives," she says. "That realization pushed me to take one of the biggest risks of my life: leaving behind a career in dentistry to start from zero in a new field, on a new continent, in the United States, with no guarantees. Looking back, I am most proud of bridging science and patients — helping to bring life-saving therapies to people with cancer and advancing surgical innovation from robotics to today's era of telerobotics. I've had the privilege of leading teams that developed and launched patient friendly cancer treatments that changed standards of care, and of guiding emerging companies like Pharmacyclics and Summit Therapeutics through transformative milestones. But above all, I'm proud that I never allowed fear or convention to define my path."
Currently the Co-CEO and President of Summit Therapeutics, Dr. Zanganeh is known for her bold leadership in advancing patient-friendly cancer therapies. She played a pivotal role in the historic US$21 billion acquisition of Pharmacyclics by AbbVie and was instrumental in the success of IMBRUVICA®, a breakthrough blood cancer drug. Earlier in her career, she helped lead the world's first transatlantic robotic surgery— Operation Lindbergh—at Computer Motion, proving that innovation knows no borders.
The foundation of sustainable success, Dr. Zanganeh notes, is in remembering that you can always give your best when you take care of yourself first. "The higher you climb in your career, the more people look to you for strength and you can only offer that strength if you prioritize your own well-being," she advises. "I'm very disciplined about my daily structure: I exercise, spend time with my family, and carve out space for reading and reflection. Protecting your well-being comes from balance and boundaries — knowing when to push forward and when to pause and recover. True strength isn't about never resting; it's about knowing how to recharge so you can continue to give your best."
CAREER "Walking away from dentistry, a career that was stable, predictable, and financially secure, was an important decision of my life. I had a clear professional path and the full expectation of my family to stay in it. But I wanted to make a bigger impact. When I decided to move into biotech, I took a leap of faith and invested in a small biotech company called Pharmacyclics Inc., even before joining as an executive. Science was promising, and developing oncology therapies to help patients in need became my mission."
MONEY "I follow a simple rule: invest only in what you truly understand. For me, that has meant backing innova- tion in biotech and healthcare, innovation that serves humanity, sectors where I can contribute not just capi- tal, but strategic insight and operational experience. I also invest in people with integrity, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose. Trust and alignment matter far more than numbers on a spreadsheet."
LIFE "Over time, I've realized that not everything is about titles or wealth. It's about impact. Did I help patients live longer? Did I create opportunities for others? The mindset shift I recommend is this: don't chase "having it all." Instead, define what matters most to you, and align your choices around that. Career, money, and life can be balanced, but only if you are honest about your priorities."
SUCCESS "Success is never a solo journey; it's about creating an environment where everyone thrives together. One of the most powerful strategies is surrounding yourself with a team that has a winning mentality, people who are disciplined, hardworking, knowledgeable, and driven by a genuine desire to grow and willing to take chances. Going "all in" doesn't mean doing everything by yourself; it means giving your full heart and focus to a shared mission. It's about taking massive action with clarity, purpose, and precision."
