What is the most important message in this book?
The most important message is how to overcome challenges despite all odds. From living in different countries with different cultures and languages, experiencing war and separation from family, to going into the healthcare business, building a company, launching a blockbuster drug in cancer, helping patients to get back to their normal life, and finally, going through cancer during Covid 19
“All these years being in the oncology field, I learned a great deal about cancer patients and their will to live … I learned that to fight cancer, we have to aim high and go for a cure as long as the body can handle it … in other words fighting until the end and never giving up … I learned that 2% chance is not 0% chance …But the truth is when I got my own cancer, and I took care of my father who died from cancer, I realized that progress and innovation must take care of the most basic needs first Two-thirds of the world’s population has no access to diagnostic imaging, and over 5 billion people do not have access to safe and affordable surgical care and anesthesia, and most cancer patients will not die because of cancer but the side effects of cancer like an infection. We may have invented, innovated, and created anti-cancer drugs, but it is a combination of everything else that is occurring in the body that impacts the patient’s prognosis, and we must give that our consideration. Changing the world for the better is a truly adventurous journey. It takes courage to do things that others consider impossible. Perception, observation, knowledge, a sense of certainty, and a willingness to take chances are part of a parcel of innovation.
Curiosity and caring about life and its forward progress, hard work, and willingness to sacrifice are required to achieve our goals and purpose, which is to make a significant difference for the betterment of mankind. Follow your dreams, and move forward. Life is in front of you, not behind you, and never give up.” Dr. Maky Zanganeh
Dr. Maky Zanganeh Biography
What is your background in this subject?
Dr. Maky Zanganeh is a recognized leader in the healthcare industry. Dr. Zanganeh is currently the Co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President and member of the Board of Directors of Summit Therapeutics, a company committed to improving overall human health.
Dr. Zanganeh is the recipient of many awards and honors, including:
- Dr. Zanganeh was recognized in the “CEO appointments – 21 women who made CEO in 2022” article published in Business Chief Leadership & Strategy, August 2022. It was noted in this article that “…women represent just 15% of chief executives employed by Fortune 500 companies, equaling 74 female chiefs, while globally, just 5% of chiefs are female.”
- Honored speaker at the United Nations 7th International Day of Woman & Girls in Science Assembly conference in February 2022, during the Esteemed Closing Ceremony.
- Honored as one of the Top 10 Influential Chief Operating Officers of 2021.
- Invited to be a keynote speaker to share the stories in her book at multiple companies and conferences, including Medable, an elite company named to the CNBC 2022 Disruptor List, and the Iranian American Women Foundation (IAWF) Leadership Conference, which will be held in October 2022.
- Earned the Fierce Biotech “2013 Top Women in Biotech” award.
- Earned the Ernst & Young company “Entrepreneur of the Year” 2013 award.
- Board member of two public companies and Serra High School
One of her greatest leadership accomplishments occurred when Dr. Zanganeh, as Chief Operating Officer at Pharmacyclics, led a team to develop and commercialize a game-changing treatment, ibrutnib (Imbruvica®), for a wide range of blood cancers. She led this struggling biotech company to a multimillion-dollar collaboration and license deal for ibrutinib with Johnson & Johnson in 2011 and the subsequent sale of the company for $21 billion in 2015 to AbbVie Inc., which was the second-largest biopharma sale ever in the industry at that time. The deal with Johnson & Johnson received the award of “Best Biotech Transaction” in 2011. Under her leadership in 2015, Pharmacyclics was also awarded the prestigious Prix Galien for “Best Pharmaceutical Agent.” This award is the biomedical industry’s highest accolade and recognizes outstanding achievements in developing new therapies. Dr. Zanganeh was President of EMEA / Global VP of Training and Education for Computer Motion, Inc. (Pioneers in Robotic Surgery), which later merged with Intuitive, Inc. (ISRG) company in June 2003. Dr. Zanganeh was awarded her DDS (Dental Degree of Surgery) from Louis Pasteur University, France, and an MBA from Schiller International University, France. She is fluent in French, German, Farsi, and English. She is also a published author, recently releasing her book entitled The Magic of Normal.
What are your passions outside of your career?
Raising my son, spending time with my family and friends, traveling, and doing sports.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
Education and cancer research.
What is next for you?
To help companies develop cancer drugs and hope one day to cure cancer and all devastating diseases.
The Magic of Normal
Tell us about your book
As we travel through the journey of life, what we are all really looking for is the “magic of normal.”
Dr. Maky Zanganeh is a recognized leader in the healthcare industry with an extraordinary life that has spanned over three continents and four countries. She grew up during the Iran-Iraq war and traveled with her to Silicon Valley. There, she led a team to a $21 billion sale of a pharmaceutical start-up that developed a lifesaving blood cancer drug.
This story is about family and the strong bonds and relationships that gave one woman the strength and determination to overcome the obstacles around her. It is also a story about a highly skilled and awarded businesswoman in the biotech industry and a cancer patient and survivor of Covid-19. This story will inspire entrepreneurs, mothers, sons, daughters, and dreamers.
“I dedicate this book that traces my private and professional journey to all those whose lives have been interrupted and who dream of returning to normal one day. I dedicate it to every patient going through the uncertainty and torment of cancer. I want you to know you are not alone. You are shielded with science, innovation, and discovery. In front of you lies comradely, courage and hope.” Dr. Maky Zanganeh.
Dr. Zanganeh is now sharing her powerful story and valuable life and career advice in her new memoir, The Magic of Normal.
Inflation Reduction Act & Healthcare with Dr. David Wilcox(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Normal-Dr-Maky-Zanganeh/dp/1662457073/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-magic-of-normal-dr-maky-zanganeh/1140811795?ean=9781662457074
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781662457074
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-magic-of-normal/9781662457074
Page Publishing: https://www.pagepublishing.com/books/?book=the-magic-of-normal
