DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BioSpace, the leader in biopharma news and careers, has revealed the 2026 cohort for its second 40 Under 40 list.
BioSpace's 40 Under 40 honors exemplary biotech and pharma professionals who have distinguished themselves in their companies and their field. The young leaders demonstrate innovation, business impact and commitment to improving outcomes for patients.
"The professionals recognized this year represent the next generation of leaders shaping the future of biopharma," said Josh Goodwin, CEO of BioSpace. "From advancing AI-driven discovery and breakthrough science to leading business strategy, operations, manufacturing and patient advocacy, these individuals are already making a meaningful impact on our industry. Their achievements reflect the depth of talent, innovation and leadership driving better outcomes for patients around the world."
40 Under 40 winners hail from a range of therapeutic areas and business functions. Their companies include small and midsized biotechs, pharmas, technology platforms, and contract development and manufacturing organizations. The 2026 cohort winners are:
- Ioana Aanei, Director, Business Development and Alliance Management, Scribe Therapeutics
- James Andorko, Director, In Vivo Discovery, Kite Pharma, a Gilead Sciences company
- Victoria Assimon, Senior Director, Head of Biology, Maze Therapeutics
- Kaggen Ausma, Vice President, Application Development, Generate:Biomedicines
- Jake Becraft, Co-Founder and CEO, Strand Therapeutics
- Shruthi Bharadwaj, Executive Director, Head of AI Drug Discovery Analytics, Revolution Medicines
- Calvin Chan, Global Head of Insights, Digital and Analytics, Gilead Sciences
- Bob Chen, Senior Vice President, Discovery Systems, OmniAb
- Eddie Chung, CEO, Coastar Therapeutics
- Pedro Coelho, CEO and Founder, Biorce
- Beryl Cummings, Senior Director, Team Lead and Chief of Staff, Marea Therapeutics
- Mehul Desai, Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs and Advocacy, Enable Injections
- Josh Haimson, Co-Founder and CEO, Inductive Bio
- Louisa Helms, Principal, Flagship Pioneering
- Michelle Ho Huey, Vice President, Strategy and Operations, Renasant Bio
- Ben Hohl, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development, Enliven Therapeutics
- Lex Johnson, Chief Platform Officer, Dispatch Bio
- Anastasiia Kamenska, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Azalea Therapeutics
- Amy Kauffman, Senior Principal Scientist, Bristol Myers Squibb
- Arthur Kuan, Chairman, President and CEO, CG Oncology
- William Leonardi, Director, Program Manager Office, Avid Bioservices
- Klevin Lo, Senior Director, Business Development, Altos Labs; Vice President, Milky Way Investments
- Sophia Lugo, CEO, Radar Therapeutics
- Blake Mandell, Advisor, Transcend Therapeutics
- Narbe Mardirossian, Chief Technology Officer, Terray Therapeutics
- Trevor Martin, Co-Founder and CEO, Mammoth Biosciences
- Saber Meamardoost, Associate Director–Research, Data Science and AI, Boehringer Ingelheim
- Kimberly Nettles, Director of Health Advocacy, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group
- Haichen Nie, Associate Director, Biologics Drug Product Development, Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Kanwal Palla, Senior Director, Research and Development, Slingshot Biosciences
- Nindhana Paranthaman, Vice President, Early Clinical Development, Bicara Therapeutics
- Morgan Paull, Chief Operating Officer, GondolaBio
- Matthew Pierce, Director, Operations, Hikma Pharmaceuticals
- Samantha Piteri-Molina, Vice President of Business and Strategy, Forge Biologics
- Caitlin Prendes, Vice President, CMC, Abcentra
- Zvonimir Vrselja, CEO and Co-Founder, Bexorg
- Hannah Walter, Enterprise Strategic Operations, Parabilis Medicines
- Qing Yu Christina Weng, Chief Medical Officer, Pelage Pharmaceuticals
- Johnny Yu, Chief Scientific Officer, Tahoe Therapeutics
- Christine Zhang, Executive Director and Evanesco Program Lead, BridgeBio
About 40 Under 40
Nominations for 40 Under 40 were open from July 6 to Aug. 24. To be eligible, nominees had to be based in the U.S.; be 39 years of age or younger for the calendar year for which they were considered; work in a leadership role in any size biotech or pharma company operating in the U.S.; and be employed at the company for which they were nominated when winners are announced. Anyone could nominate an individual for consideration, and nominees from all disciplines were welcome. Nominees were required to complete an online submission. Winners are selected by BioSpace committee.
About BioSpace
BioSpace is the hub for life sciences news and jobs. We provide essential insights, opportunities and tools to connect innovative organizations and talented professionals who advance health and quality of life across the globe through news, webinars, podcasts, email, advertising and jobs. Learn more and subscribe at biospace.com.
SOURCE BioSpace
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