TEMPE, Ariz., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From driving research breakthroughs to bringing new treatments to market, life sciences and business professionals are increasingly in demand. Arizona State University is meeting that demand with the launch of the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship (MLSBE) Program — a bold, interdisciplinary experience launching in fall 2026 and designed for students who want to lead the future of health care innovation.
Established through a generous gift from ASU alumni Mark and Sheri McKenna, the MLSBE Program reflects the couple's shared commitment to advancing innovation in health care. Both are graduates of the W. P. Carey School of Business class of 2002 — Mark in marketing and Sheri in finance and marketing. Their combined passion for bridging life sciences, business, and entrepreneurship is now paving the way for future generations of changemakers.
The McKennas' gift supports a bold vision: to equip students with the interdisciplinary tools, experiences, and networks needed to lead the future of health care, which combines academic excellence with real-world experience and industry access. Students earn two bachelor's degrees — one in finance and one in a natural science discipline, choosing from biological sciences (biomedical sciences), data science, biochemistry (medicinal chemistry), biochemistry, or neuroscience — plus a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, all within four years. The program culminates in a senior capstone project that applies scientific knowledge and business acumen to real-world industry challenges.
As a biotech entrepreneur, executive, and director, Mark McKenna is well-known for his leadership as chairman, president, and CEO of Prometheus Biosciences. Under his direction, the clinical-stage biotechnology company raised more than $1 billion in financing, launched the first precision therapeutics clinical trial for immune-mediated diseases, and was acquired by Merck pharmaceutical company in 2023 for $10.8 billion — one of the largest biopharma acquisitions ever for a company whose lead drug had not yet entered late-stage (phase 3) clinical trials.
He is currently the founder, chairman, and CEO of Mirador Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing precision medicines for immune and inflammatory diseases. He also serves as chairman of Apogee Therapeutics, which focuses on treatments for immunological and inflammatory conditions, and as a board director at NewAmsterdam Pharma, a cardiometabolic drug company, and Spyre Therapeutics, which specializes in treatments for chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. In addition, he is a venture partner at ARCH Venture Partners, a leading firm that builds and invests in life science startups, and a senior advisor at Fairmount Funds, a health care-focused investment firm.
"When I was a student at ASU, I saw firsthand how powerful it is to think beyond one discipline. This program exists to help students combine their passions in life sciences and business — and to accelerate the kind of breakthrough ideas that can improve lives around the world," said McKenna, who received the ASU Alumni Achievement Award in 2025 for excelling in his profession and contributing to ASU, the ASU Alumni Association, and the community.
"This program reflects the innovative spirit that drives everything we do at W. P. Carey," said Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "We are deeply grateful to Mark and Sheri McKenna for their visionary gift, which makes it possible to offer this interdisciplinary experience. By partnering with The College, we're blending the best of business and life sciences to equip students with the skills and mindset to lead breakthroughs in health care and beyond."
In addition to earning dual degrees and a certificate, students participate in specialized coursework on business innovation in the life sciences, including topics such as the regulatory system, intellectual property, patents, and venture capital. Throughout the four-year program, students engage in mentorship, internships, or research assistantships, along with recurring industry events featuring leaders from leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies. A group corporate engagement trip introduces students to key life science hubs through immersive site visits, while additional funding supports personalized career exploration during their junior year.
Students also benefit from a customized course sequence tailored to their interdisciplinary path, faculty director support from The College and W. P. Carey, and early immersion through a bridge program designed to build community and confidence from day one. Additional support includes access to dedicated academic and career advisors, peer mentorship, and co-curricular programming through ASU's Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute and the new Financial Access and Research Lab, helping them develop an entrepreneurial mindset and financial fluency.
The program also features Dreamscape Learn's NeoBio and NeoChem platforms, bringing sciences to life through immersive virtual reality experiences that allow students to explore lessons in 3D environments.
"This program is a perfect example of how The College empowers students to succeed across disciplines and industries," said Kenro Kusumi, senior vice provost and dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "As a national leader in transdisciplinary research, The College helps more students get into medical and law schools than any other college at ASU. This program builds on that legacy by preparing students to shape the future of health care through both scientific discovery and entrepreneurial action."
To learn more, visit mlsbe.asu.edu.
About the W. P. Carey School of Business
The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its research productivity and distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 120 countries, and W. P. Carey is represented by alums in over 100 countries. Visit wpcarey.asu.edu.
About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences educates the next generation in the power of language, culture, and society, critical thinking, scientific exploration, and discovery. Through first-of-their-kind degree programs, world-class research, and innovative learning experiences, The College is committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale while supporting the largest student population within ASU. Visit thecollege.asu.edu.
For more information/media contacts:
Shay Moser
W. P. Carey School of Business
[email protected]
Allison Connell
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
[email protected]
SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University
Share this article