1. Overview
Patrick Soon-Shiong (born July 29, 1952) is a South African and American businessman, investor, medical researcher, and transplant surgeon of Chinese descent. He is widely recognized for inventing the cancer drug Abraxane, which is used in the treatment of lung, breast, and pancreatic cancer. Soon-Shiong founded NantWorks, a conglomerate of healthcare, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence startups. He has held academic positions as an adjunct professor of surgery and executive director of the Wireless Health Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, and as a visiting professor at Imperial College London and Dartmouth College.
Beyond his medical and scientific contributions, Soon-Shiong has diverse business interests, including a minority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers since 2010. Since June 2018, he has served as the owner and executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at 11.30 B USD by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him one of the wealthiest doctors globally and reportedly the richest man in Los Angeles. His career reflects significant achievements in drug development and healthcare technology, alongside notable controversies regarding his business practices, the transparency of his philanthropic endeavors, and his management of the Los Angeles Times, particularly concerning allegations of editorial interference that have raised questions about journalistic independence and media freedom.
2. Early Life and Education
Patrick Soon-Shiong was born on July 29, 1952, in Port Elizabeth, within the then Union of South Africa. His parents were Chinese immigrants of Hakka descent, originally from Meixian District in Guangdong province, who had fled China during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
Soon-Shiong displayed exceptional academic ability from a young age, completing his high school education by the age of 16. He graduated from the University of Witwatersrand at 23, receiving a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) degree and ranking fourth in his class of 189 students. He completed his medical internship at Johannesburg's General Hospital. Subsequently, he pursued further studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada, where he earned a master's degree in 1979. His master's research garnered him several accolades, including awards from the American College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the American Association of Academic Surgery.
He later immigrated to the United States, commencing his surgical training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and became a board-certified surgeon in 1984. Soon-Shiong is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Canada) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and he has since been granted United States citizenship.
3. Medical and Academic Career
Soon-Shiong began his academic and medical career at UCLA Medical School in 1983, serving as a transplant surgeon until 1991. During this period, from 1984 to 1987, he also worked as an associate investigator at the Center for Ulcer Research and Education.
A significant medical achievement of his early career at UCLA was performing the first whole-pancreas transplant at the institution. He also pioneered and performed experimental treatments for Type 1 diabetes, including the encapsulated-human-islet transplant and the "first pig-to-man islet-cell transplant in diabetic patients." After a period in the private sector, he rejoined UCLA in 2009 as a professor of microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics, and bioengineering. In 2011, he served as a visiting professor at Imperial College, London.
In 2010, Soon-Shiong co-founded the Healthcare Transformation Institute (HTI) in partnership with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. The HTI's core mission is to facilitate a fundamental shift in the United States' healthcare system by better integrating the currently disparate domains of medical science, health delivery, and healthcare finance.
In early 2016, Soon-Shiong spearheaded the National Immunotherapy Coalition, an initiative designed to foster collaboration among rival pharmaceutical companies to jointly test combinations of cancer-fighting drugs. His engagement in the fight against cancer extended to meetings with then-Vice President Joe Biden to discuss strategies, including a proposal for genomic sequencing of 100,000 patients to build a comprehensive database of potential genetic factors. In January 2017, he met with then President-elect Donald Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey, estate to deliberate on national medical priorities; during this time, Soon-Shiong was reportedly seeking a cabinet position within the administration. In May 2017, House Speaker Paul Ryan appointed him to the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee, a body established under the 21st Century Cures Act. In 2017, Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele B. Chan, were honored by the Smithsonian and included in the permanent exhibit "Many Voices, One Nation" at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.
His work in vaccine development intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By summer 2021, his company, ImmunityBio, had developed a T cell-inducing universal COVID-19 vaccine booster shot that advanced to Phase III trials in his native South Africa, aiming to prevent transmission and control the spread of COVID-19 variants. In December 2021, Soon-Shiong presented pre-clinical results demonstrating enhanced T cell levels through heterologous vaccination, combining an adenovirus and mRNA technology. In September 2021, Soon-Shiong, in collaboration with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced NantSA, a new venture with NantWorks. This initiative aims to expand vaccine development capabilities across Sub-Saharan Africa through a collaboration agreement with the South African government's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation. In January 2022, a new manufacturing facility and campus were inaugurated in Cape Town, South Africa, with President Ramaphosa, as part of Soon-Shiong's entities' commitment to invest over 4.00 B ZAR (approximately 250.00 M USD) into the continent. In February 2022, ImmunityBio, under Soon-Shiong's leadership, released results from a clinical trial for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), reporting a median duration of complete remission of over 24.1 months and a 71% complete remission rate.
4. Business Career
Patrick Soon-Shiong has forged a diverse and highly successful business career, extending significantly beyond his initial medical and scientific endeavors. His ventures span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, energy, and various technology and media sectors.
4.1. Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
In 1991, Soon-Shiong transitioned from his academic role at UCLA to establish VivoRx Inc., a biotechnology firm focused on diabetes and cancer research, where he secured over 120 medical-related patents. This led to the founding of APP Pharmaceuticals in 1997, a company in which he held an 80% stake and which was subsequently sold to Fresenius SE for 4.60 B USD in July 2008. In 1998, he further expanded his portfolio by acquiring Fujisawa, a company specializing in injectable generic drugs.
Soon-Shiong later founded Abraxis BioScience, where he developed Abraxane. This innovative cancer drug utilizes an existing chemotherapy agent, paclitaxel, encapsulated in a protein, making it more effectively delivered to tumors. The drug's approval and market entry significantly contributed to his wealth. Abraxis BioScience was acquired by Celgene in 2010 in a cash-and-stock deal valued at 2.90 B USD, yielding Soon-Shiong an estimated 533.00 M USD in profits.
In 2007, he established NantHealth, a company designed to provide fiber-optic, cloud-based data infrastructure for seamless healthcare information sharing. Building on this, in September 2011, Soon-Shiong founded NantWorks, with a stated mission to "converge ultra-low power semiconductor technology, supercomputing, high performance, secure advanced networks and augmented intelligence to transform how we work, play, and live." NantWorks comprises numerous technology companies across healthcare, commerce, digital entertainment, and also includes a venture capital firm focused on healthcare, education, science, and technology. Its specialized technologies encompass machine vision, object and voice recognition, low-power semiconductors, supercomputing, and advanced networking solutions. In January 2013, he launched another biotech company, NantOmics, as a subsidiary of NantWorks, dedicated to developing cancer drugs based on protein kinase inhibitors.
In July 2015, Soon-Shiong initiated an IPO for NantKwest (formerly ConkWest), which became the highest-valued biotech IPO in history at the time, achieving a market value of 2.60 B USD. In April 2016, the Los Angeles Times reported that Soon-Shiong's 2015 pay package from NantKwest totaled almost 148.00 M USD, positioning him as one of the highest-paid CEOs. In early 2021, NantKwest (NASDAQ: NK) was merged with the privately held ImmunityBio (formerly NantCell). The newly formed public entity, ImmunityBio, Inc., now trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol IBRX. Soon-Shiong is also a member of the Berggruen Institute's 21st Century Council.
In 2015, NantPharma, a company owned by Soon-Shiong, acquired the drug Cynviloq from Sorrento Therapeutics for 90.00 M USD, with potential additional compensation of over 1.00 B USD contingent on regulatory and sales milestones. However, Soon-Shiong did not pursue FDA approval for Cynviloq as stipulated in the agreement, allowing critical patents and deadlines to lapse. This action was widely characterized as a "catch and kill" strategy to eliminate a potential competitor, given his financial interest in Abraxane, another drug that would compete with Cynviloq. This incident aligned with a pattern of controversial business practices attributed to Soon-Shiong, drawing accusations of "looting" from figures like celebrity actress and musician Cher.
4.2. Other Investments and Technology
Beyond his core pharmaceutical and biotech ventures, Patrick Soon-Shiong has made significant investments in a diverse array of technology and media companies. In 2013, he became an early investor in Zoom, the rapidly growing video conferencing platform. In September 2014, his company, NantWorks LLC, invested 2.50 M USD in AccuRadio, a personalized internet radio service. In 2015, NantWorks LLC also participated in Wibbitz's 8.00 M USD Series B funding round, a company focused on automated video creation.
In 2019, Soon-Shiong expanded his investment portfolio into advanced materials by becoming a significant investor in Directa Plus, a European-based company specializing in graphene-based technology, acquiring a 28 percent ownership stake. In February 2022, he invested in Sienza, a lithium-ion battery company located in Pasadena, California, further diversifying his technology interests.
4.3. Energy and Bio-renewables
Patrick Soon-Shiong has also engaged in the energy sector, particularly in the development of innovative battery technologies and renewable resources. In September 2018, his company NantEnergy announced a breakthrough in battery technology with the development of a zinc-air battery. This battery was projected to cost just 100 USD per kilowatt-hour, which is less than one-third the cost of traditional lithium-ion batteries.
In 2021, Soon-Shiong further committed to the renewable energy sector by announcing a new investment of 29.00 M USD in NantRenewables, a biorenewables company. This investment is directed towards establishing a new bioplastics manufacturing plant at SeaPoint in Savannah, Georgia, a project expected to create over 100 new jobs.
5. Ownership of the Los Angeles Times and Related Controversies
Patrick Soon-Shiong's acquisition of the Los Angeles Times marked a significant foray into the media industry, but his tenure has been marked by substantial controversies surrounding editorial independence and journalistic integrity.
5.1. Acquisition and Early Management
In February 2018, Soon-Shiong's investment firm, NantCapital, finalized a deal to acquire the Los Angeles Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune from Tronc Inc. The transaction amounted to "nearly 500.00 M USD" in cash, in addition to the assumption of 90.00 M USD in pension obligations. This acquisition made Soon-Shiong one of the first Asian-Americans to become a media proprietor with ownership of a major daily newspaper in the United States. The sale was officially closed on June 18, 2018.
5.2. Editorial Interference and Impact
Soon-Shiong's ownership has led to numerous allegations of interference with the editorial independence of the Los Angeles Times. In 2020, he controversially blocked the newspaper's editorial board from making an endorsement in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, overriding their intended endorsement of Elizabeth Warren. While the paper did eventually endorse Joe Biden in the general election, this action set a precedent for future interventions.
His daughter, Nika Soon-Shiong, also became involved with the newspaper during this period, reportedly seeking to influence coverage in both the newsroom and opinion pages. Many Times staffers expressed alarm at her activities, which they perceived as meddling, including private and public contacts advocating her views. In July 2023, Soon-Shiong sold the San Diego Union-Tribune to MediaNews Group.
The controversies escalated significantly in October 2024 when, as the Los Angeles Times editorial board was preparing to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election, Soon-Shiong again blocked the newspaper from issuing any endorsement. This marked the first time since 2004 that the paper had not endorsed a presidential candidate. In protest of this decision, several prominent members of the editorial board resigned, including editorials editor Mariel Garza and two Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writers, Robert Greene and Karin Klein. The decision also led to a wave of subscription cancellations, with nearly 2,000 subscribers unsubscribing in the immediate aftermath. A day later, TheWrap reported that a planned series of articles by the Los Angeles Times editorial board, tentatively titled "The Case Against Trump," had also been canceled by Soon-Shiong.
In November 2024, Soon-Shiong took the drastic step of firing the entire editorial board of the Los Angeles Times, announcing plans to replace them with a new team. He defended this restructuring as a move towards a "fair and balanced newspaper," echoing the slogan used by Fox News, and promised a "rebirth" for the newspaper where "Every American's views should be heard."
The situation intensified further in December 2024 when Soon-Shiong announced that the Los Angeles Times would implement an AI-powered "bias meter" into the newspaper's coverage. This announcement followed his expressed desire to incorporate more conservative voices into the paper's opinion section after Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election. The decision ignited another wave of subscription cancellations, widespread anger among staff, and high-profile resignations, including those of Robert Greene and Harry Litman. Litman publicly stated that his resignation was a "protest and visceral reaction against the conduct of the paper's owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong."
In January 2025, Soon-Shiong faced accusations of distorting the meaning of an Los Angeles Times op-ed that was originally intended to oppose the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary. Soon-Shiong had previously endorsed Kennedy Jr. for the role. The op-ed's author, Eric Reinhart, claimed that sections of his piece explicitly arguing against Kennedy's confirmation were removed without his consent shortly before publication. One of the excised portions asserted that Kennedy Jr. would "inflict preventable death on [millions of Americans]" due to his "egomaniacal disregard for scientific evidence." The published op-ed appeared under the headline "Trump's healthcare disruption could pay off - if he pushes real reform," contrasting sharply with Reinhart's suggested title, "RFK Jr's Wrecking Ball Won't Fix Public Health." Upon publication, Soon-Shiong shared the op-ed on X, commenting that Kennedy Jr. was "our best chance of [pushing reform in the American healthcare system]."
6. Philanthropy
Patrick Soon-Shiong conducts his philanthropic activities primarily through the Chan Soon-Shiong NantHealth Foundation, which he named after his wife, Michele B. Chan. However, the foundation's operations and disbursements have drawn considerable scrutiny regarding their transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
A 2017 Politico report revealed that the Chan Soon-Shiong NantHealth Foundation allocated over 70% of its expenditures to businesses and non-profit organizations that Soon-Shiong himself controlled. Furthermore, the report found that the majority of the foundation's grants were awarded to entities that conducted business with Soon-Shiong's own companies. The foundation was also found to be paying certain employees from Soon-Shiong's commercial companies, raising concerns about the potentially inappropriate use of charitable funds to cover unrelated business overhead costs.
A notable example involved a 12.00 M USD donation from Soon-Shiong-controlled organizations to the University of Utah for a gene mapping project. Despite the donation, control over the grant specifications was granted to Soon-Shiong's donating organizations, and his own NantHealth company was subsequently awarded the 10.00 M USD contract for the project. A subsequent audit by the Utah government determined that the university had failed to comply with state procurement laws, which mandate a competitive bidding process for public institutions. Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes characterized the arrangement as an attempt to "Cinderella-slipper something for one person, or for one entity." The university acknowledged the audit's findings and committed to implementing the recommended changes. The family foundation has also partnered with the Clinton Foundation.
7. Political Activities and Views
Patrick Soon-Shiong has engaged in various political activities, including significant campaign contributions and attempts to secure government appointments. He and his family were major donors to the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign.
Following the 2016 US presidential election, Soon-Shiong met privately with then President-elect Donald Trump on two occasions during the 2016-2017 presidential transition. These meetings were reportedly part of an unsuccessful effort by Soon-Shiong to obtain a position within the Trump administration.
In a more recent development, Soon-Shiong reportedly discussed with actress Cheryl Hines and actor/comedian Rob Schneider the concept of creating a talk show. Schneider envisioned this program as a conservative-leaning counterpart to The View, suggesting a desire by Soon-Shiong to promote specific political viewpoints through media platforms beyond the Los Angeles Times.
8. Personal Life
Patrick Soon-Shiong is married to former actress Michele B. Chan. The couple has two children, including Nika Soon-Shiong, and resides in Los Angeles. Soon-Shiong has publicly committed to the Giving Pledge, an initiative where the world's wealthiest individuals pledge to donate at least half of their fortune to philanthropy, underscoring his personal commitment to charitable giving.
9. Assessment and Criticism
Patrick Soon-Shiong's career is marked by both significant contributions to medical science and business innovation, as well as considerable controversies, particularly concerning his management style, ethical considerations in business, and his impact on media freedom.
9.1. Positive Assessment
Soon-Shiong is widely recognized for his innovative medical research and groundbreaking drug development. His invention of Abraxane stands as a pivotal achievement, providing an enhanced chemotherapy option for lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers. His pioneering work in diabetes treatment, including the first whole-pancreas transplant at UCLA and the development of encapsulated-human-islet transplants, showcased his visionary approach to healthcare. Furthermore, his efforts in launching the National Immunotherapy Coalition and his involvement in COVID-19 vaccine development through ImmunityBio and the NantSA venture in South Africa demonstrate a commitment to advancing global health. His business ventures, such as APP Pharmaceuticals and Abraxis BioScience, have generated substantial economic value, and initiatives like NantRenewables indicate contributions to job creation and sustainable industries.
9.2. Controversies and Criticisms
Despite his successes, Soon-Shiong has faced substantial criticism and numerous controversies. A significant concern emerged from the "catch and kill" allegations surrounding his acquisition of the drug Cynviloq from Sorrento Therapeutics. Critics contend that he deliberately hindered its FDA approval and allowed its patents to lapse due to his financial interest in a competing drug, Abraxane, effectively stifling competition. This incident, alongside accusations of "looting" by public figures, raised questions about his business ethics.
The transparency of his philanthropic arm, the Chan Soon-Shiong NantHealth Foundation, has also been a focal point of criticism. Reports indicated that a substantial portion of the foundation's funds were directed towards businesses and non-profit organizations controlled by Soon-Shiong himself, and that grants often benefited entities that also conducted business with his companies. The controversy surrounding the University of Utah gene mapping project, where his company NantHealth secured a 10.00 M USD contract from a donation made by his foundation, highlighted potential conflicts of interest and led to an audit revealing violations of state procurement laws.
However, the most pronounced criticisms have stemmed from his ownership and management of the Los Angeles Times, severely impacting journalistic independence. Allegations of editorial interference have been persistent, including his decisions to block presidential endorsements (such as Elizabeth Warren in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024), which deviated from the paper's historical practice and sparked widespread backlash. The involvement of his daughter, Nika Soon-Shiong, in attempting to influence editorial coverage also caused significant internal strife. Further controversies include the reported killing of a planned "The Case Against Trump" series and the subsequent mass firing of the entire editorial board in November 2024. His announcement in December 2024 to introduce an AI-powered "bias meter" and to explicitly foster more conservative voices in the opinion section, echoing a Fox News slogan, was met with strong condemnation, leading to further resignations and subscriber cancellations. Additionally, his alleged manipulation of an op-ed opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as Health and Human Services Secretary, to align with his own views, has further eroded trust. These actions have drawn severe criticism from journalists and media observers, raising profound concerns about journalistic integrity, media freedom, and the impact of owner intervention on public discourse.