Daniel Skovronsky

As chief scientist and head of research at the first pharma company with a $500 billion market cap, Daniel Skovronsky is overseeing the development of potentially transformative treatments for Alzheimer’s, obesity, and cancer. His work has delivered a lot of good news for Lilly as of late. The FDA approved its blockbuster drug tirzepatide for weight loss following a study that showed people on the drug lost over 15% of their body weight, while its amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s drug donanemab was shown to slow cognitive decline, raising hopes for an eventual FDA approval. But don’t expect Skovronsky to rest on his laurels: “I probably have a pathological inability to celebrate accomplishments,” he told STAT last year. “I’m always moving on to the next problem.”