LeaderPortfolio
Soon-Shiong
Patrick Soon-Shiong
Rank #412
UNITED STATESHealthcarePharmaceuticals

Patrick Soon-Shiong

Net Worth
$8.633B
-2.06% (24h)
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-born American businessman, investor, medical researcher, and transplant surgeon. As of March 2026, his net worth is estimated at $16.6 billion. His wealth primarily stems from his ventures in the pharmaceuticals industry, where he is the inventor of the cancer drug Abraxane. His career includes founding and selling multiple pharmaceutical companies, and he is actively involved in various healthcare, biotech, and artificial intelligence startups through his company, NantWorks. He is known for his significant philanthropic contributions and his role as the owner of the Los Angeles Times.

How to read Patrick Soon-Shiong's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Patrick Soon-Shiong, we anchor the narrative to Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceuticals, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $8.633B alongside global rank #412, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

Patrick Soon-Shiong was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on July 29, 1952. His parents were Chinese immigrants. He displayed exceptional academic abilities from an early age, graduating at the top of his class at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg with a medical degree at the age of 23.

Rise to Success

Soon-Shiong's career began in medicine, but he transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding several successful pharmaceutical companies. He invented Abraxane, a drug used in the treatment of breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. He founded American Pharmaceutical Partners (APP), which he sold to Fresenius for approximately $4.6 billion. He also founded Abraxis BioScience, which was later acquired by Celgene for approximately $3.8 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Soon-Shiong has focused on innovation in the healthcare sector. He founded NantWorks, a network of healthcare, biotech, and artificial intelligence startups. NantWorks aims to converge various technologies to improve healthcare and treatment. He has also been involved in media, purchasing the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune. Soon-Shiong's approach includes developing new immunotherapies and investing in advanced technologies.

Philanthropy

Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele B. Chan, are known for their philanthropy, committing to give away at least half of their wealth. Through the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, they have pledged significant amounts to support healthcare transformation, medical technology projects, and improving access to medical services, including a $1 billion pledge.

Career Timeline

2024

Anktiva Approval

FDA approved Anktiva for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

2018

Los Angeles Times Acquisition

Purchased the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune.

2014

ImmunityBio Founded

Founded ImmunityBio.

2005

Abraxane Approval

Abraxane approved by the FDA for metastatic breast cancer.

1993

Abraxane Invention

Invented the cancer drug Abraxane.

1987

Pancreas Transplant

Performed California's first full pancreas transplant at UCLA.

1984

Board-Certified Surgeon

Became a board-certified surgeon in the United States.

1975

Medical Degree

Graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg with a medical degree.

Philanthropic Impact

Healthcare$1B

Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation

Pledged $1 billion to support the transformation of healthcare in the United States.

Healthcare$135M

Saint John's Health Center

Donated $135 million to the Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica

Healthcare$100M

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital

Provided $100 million to facilitate the reopening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
NantHealth
ImmunityBio

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Patrick Soon-Shiong was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on July 29, 1952. His parents were Chinese immigrants. He displayed exceptional academic abilities from an early age, graduating at the top of his class at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg with a medical degree at the age of 23.

Rise to Success

Soon-Shiong's career began in medicine, but he transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding several successful pharmaceutical companies. He invented Abraxane, a drug used in the treatment of breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. He founded American Pharmaceutical Partners (APP), which he sold to Fresenius for approximately $4.6 billion. He also founded Abraxis BioScience, which was later acquired by Celgene for approximately $3.8 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Soon-Shiong has focused on innovation in the healthcare sector. He founded NantWorks, a network of healthcare, biotech, and artificial intelligence startups. NantWorks aims to converge various technologies to improve healthcare and treatment. He has also been involved in media, purchasing the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune. Soon-Shiong's approach includes developing new immunotherapies and investing in advanced technologies.

Philanthropy

Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele B. Chan, are known for their philanthropy, committing to give away at least half of their wealth. Through the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, they have pledged significant amounts to support healthcare transformation, medical technology projects, and improving access to medical services, including a $1 billion pledge.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Patrick Soon-Shiong are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.