Patrick Soon-Shiong

Patrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-born American surgeon, scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is the inventor of the cancer drug Abraxane and the founder of NantWorks, a healthcare and technology conglomerate. He also owns the Los Angeles Times and holds a minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.

Soon-Shiong's work has centered on immunotherapy and precision medicine. His company ImmunityBio received FDA approval in 2024 for Anktiva, a treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. As of 2026, he continues to lead ImmunityBio and pursue new ventures in sports and media. [edit]

Patrick Soon-Shiong was born on July 29, 1952, in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa. His parents were Chinese immigrants who had fled the Chinese Civil War. He grew up under apartheid, which shaped his early awareness of inequality and access to healthcare.

He excelled academically and attended the University of the Witwatersrand, earning his medical degree in 1975. During his time there, he developed an early interest in the biology of disease, particularly cancer. After medical school, he moved to the United States for surgical training, completing residencies at the University of British Columbia and UCLA.

Before his breakthrough with Abraxane, Soon-Shiong worked as a transplant surgeon, performing pancreas and liver transplants. He also held academic positions and began researching ways to deliver chemotherapy more effectively, laying the groundwork for his later inventions. [edit]

Soon-Shiong's breakthrough came in the mid-1990s with the invention of Abraxane, a nanoparticle-bound form of paclitaxel that improved drug delivery and reduced side effects. The drug received FDA approval in 2005 for breast cancer and later for lung and pancreatic cancers, becoming a standard treatment.

In 2008, he sold Abraxis BioScience, the company behind Abraxane, for $2.9 billion. He founded NantWorks in 2011, a network of companies spanning biotech, artificial intelligence, and healthcare. In 2018, he purchased the Los Angeles Times for $500 million.

In 2024, his company ImmunityBio won FDA approval for Anktiva, an immunotherapy for bladder cancer. In 2026, the drug received authorization in the UAE, though the FDA issued warnings about misleading claims regarding its efficacy. Recently, he bought a professional volleyball team in Los Angeles, set to begin play in 2027. [edit]

Soon-Shiong is seen as a visionary in oncology, often described as a pioneer in immunotherapy. His public persona is that of a confident, sometimes controversial figure who challenges conventional medical wisdom. He is active on social media, particularly X, where he shares updates on his companies and medical breakthroughs.

Fans and critics alike note his ambitious claims, which have sometimes drawn regulatory scrutiny. Despite this, he maintains a loyal following among those who believe in his mission to cure cancer. His ownership of the Los Angeles Times has also made him a significant figure in media circles. [edit]

Patrick Soon-Shiong stands as the 96th most famous person from South Africa, a position he currently holds in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This ranking reflects his global footprint across science and business, placing him just behind the previous cycle's leader in that specific category. His prominence is not built on celebrity culture but on the sheer scale of his impact in oncology and media ownership. While the world watches his companies navigate regulatory waters and market shifts, his fame remains anchored in his identity as a surgeon-inventor rather than a pop icon. Unlike entertainers who cultivate adoring crowds, Soon-Shiong commands a following defined by professional necessity and scientific curiosity. There is no formal name for his fanbase; those who track his work are investors, medical professionals, patients awaiting new therapies, and critics monitoring pharmaceutical claims. He does not host meet-and-greets or issue exclusive merchandise. Instead, his audience engages with his legacy through the lens of Abraxane's success, the ambitions of NantWorks, and the ongoing debates surrounding his latest treatments. The connection between him and the public is transactional yet profound, rooted in the hope that his innovations will extend lives. Even as he navigates recent FDA warnings regarding Anktiva, the narrative around him persists: a billionaire scientist challenging the status quo of modern medicine.[edit]

Patrick Soon-Shiong holds more than 500 patents worldwide and has authored over 100 scientific publications. He performed a combined liver and pancreas transplant, a rare surgical feat that cemented his early reputation. Colleagues often refer to him as "The Father of Immunotherapy" due to his pioneering contributions to the field. Of Chinese descent, he speaks English, Mandarin, and Afrikaans fluently. In 2018, he briefly made headlines when his wife, Michele, purchased a $45 million Beverly Hills mansion. Beyond these facts, his legacy includes the invention of Abraxane, a nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel that became a blockbuster treatment for lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers. This breakthrough transformed him from a researcher into a major industry player and remains the central pillar of his public identity. Another widely retold story involves his recent clash with regulators; reports from June 2026 detail FDA warnings about misleading claims regarding Anktiva. Soon-Shiong contested these claims, stating the referenced advertisement never aired. These events have woven a modern lore around him, portraying a visionary constantly pushing against the boundaries of medical oversight and commercial promise.[edit]

Patrick Soon-Shiong is married to Michele B. Chan, a philanthropist and former actress. The couple married in the 1980s and have two daughters. They live in Los Angeles, where Soon-Shiong owns a substantial property portfolio.

His parents were Chinese immigrants who settled in South Africa. He has spoken about how his family's experience with discrimination under apartheid influenced his drive to improve healthcare access for underserved communities. [edit]

Michele B. Chan, his wife, is a philanthropist and former actress. He is also associated with the University of the Witwatersrand, UCLA, and Imperial College London, where he holds academic positions. [edit]

Patrick Soon-Shiong married Michele B. Chan in the 1980s. The couple has been together for over four decades, with Michele playing a key role in philanthropy. They have two daughters. As of 2026, they remain married and reside in Los Angeles. [edit]

As of 2026, Patrick Soon-Shiong's net worth is estimated at $15 Billion per iFANN's editorial analysis. This wealth stems from his sale of Abraxis BioScience, his ownership of NantWorks and ImmunityBio, and his media and sports investments. His ownership of the Los Angeles Times and a minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers contribute significantly to this figure. He also owns a professional volleyball team in Los Angeles, which begins play in 2027. Recent stock volatility in ImmunityBio has affected his net worth, but his diversified portfolio remains strong.[edit]