Arizona State University collaborates with distinguished biotech alumnus Mark McKenna to inaugurate a leading life science business program.
Ready to step into the future of healthcare innovation? Look no further than the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program at Arizona State University (ASU)! This groundbreaking, cross-college collaboration between the W. P. Carey School of Business and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences embodies ASU's established reputation as America's most innovative university. Mark your calendars for the fall of 2026 when this game-changing program kicks off, courtesy of a generous gift from the dynamic duo, Mark and Sheri McKenna.
The McKennas' generous donation reflects their shared passion for advancing innovation in healthcare. Both ASU alums—with Mark earning a degree in marketing from the W. P. Carey School of Business in 2002, and Sheri in finance and marketing—have set their sights on building bridges between life sciences, business, and entrepreneurship, paving the way for future generations of trailblazers.
This ambitious vision? To prepare students with the interdisciplinary tools, real-world experiences, and industry connections needed to lead the future of healthcare. Students will earn two bachelor's degrees—one in finance and one in a natural science discipline, such as biological sciences, data science, biochemistry, or neuroscience—in addition to a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, all within a snap of their finger (or four years, to be precise). Cap off your journey with a senior capstone project, where you'll apply your scientific know-how and business smarts to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.
But what makes this program truly stand out? Mark McKenna, a seasoned biotech entrepreneur, executive, and director, hits the bullseye when it comes to demonstrating leadership. Under his tenure as chairman, president, and CEO of Prometheus Biosciences, the clinical-stage biotech company raised over $1 billion in financing, launched the first precision therapeutics clinical trial for immune-mediated diseases, and scored the whopping $10.8 billion acquisition by Merck pharmaceutical company in 2023 – one of the largest biopharma acquisitions ever for a company whose lead drug had not even made it to late-stage (phase 3) clinical trials yet. Pretty good, huh?
Mark continues to shake things up as the founder, chairman, and CEO of Mirador Therapeutics—a biotech focusing on precision medicines for immune and inflammatory diseases—and serves as chairman of Apogee Therapeutics, which targets treatments for immunological and inflammatory conditions. In case that weren't enough, he's also a board director at NewAmsterdam Pharma and Spyre Therapeutics, companies that specialize in cardiometabolic drugs and chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract, respectively. On top of that, he's a venture partner at ARCH Venture Partners, a leading life sciences startup incubator, and a senior advisor at Fairmount Funds, a healthcare investment firm.
When it comes to marking your own path, look no further than McKenna's advice: "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."
Want to join the ranks of these trailblazers? expect a mix of specialized coursework on business innovation in the life sciences, industry events with top leaders from biotech and pharmaceutical companies, collaborative research opportunities, mentorship, and internships, online learning experiences using state-of-the-art technology like Dreamscape Learn's NeoBio and NeoChem platforms, and career exploration support during your junior year.
Empowering students to succeed across disciplines and industries, the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program aligns beautifully with ASU's mission to promote transdisciplinary research and improve communities on a global scale. If you're eager to shape the future of healthcare through scientific discoveries and entrepreneurial action, visit mlsbe.asu.edu to learn more!
- The McKennas' shared passion for innovation in healthcare expands to include cloud-based learning platforms like Dreamscape Learn's NeoBio and NeoChem, enhancing the students' online education experience.
- In the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program, students will engage in medical-condition-related research, such as biotech innovation for immune-mediated diseases or chronic inflammatory conditions.
- The program encourages investing in real-estate and financial markets, with a focus on health-and-wellness industries that align with their future career goals.
- With an entrepreneurial mindset at the core of their learning journey, students will have access to expert mentors in the fields of science, business, and real-estate, which they can apply to their future investments and ventures.
- Alongside their exploration of science and business, students will also prioritize education-and-self-development through industry events and collaborative experiences, ensuring they have a well-rounded understanding of the industries they plan to shape.
