BioSpace Announces 2026 40 Under 40 Winners

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:

1. Ioana Aanei, Director, Business Development and Alliance Management, Scribe Therapeutics
2. James Andorko, Director, In Vivo Discovery, Kite Pharma, a Gilead Sciences company
3. Victoria Assimon, Senior Director, Head of Biology, Maze Therapeutics
4. Kaggen Ausma, Vice President, Application Development, Generate:Biomedicines
5. Jake Becraft, Co-Founder and CEO, Strand Therapeutics
6. Shruthi Bharadwaj, Executive Director, Head of AI Drug Discovery Analytics, Revolution Medicines
7. Calvin Chan, Global Head of Insights, Digital and Analytics, Gilead Sciences
8. Bob Chen, Senior Vice President, Discovery Systems, OmniAb
9. Eddie Chung, CEO, Coastar Therapeutics
10. Pedro Coelho, CEO and Founder, Biorce
11. Beryl Cummings, Senior Director, Team Lead and Chief of Staff, Marea Therapeutics
12. Mehul Desai, Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs and Advocacy, Enable Injections
13. Josh Haimson, Co-Founder and CEO, Inductive Bio
14. Louisa Helms, Principal, Flagship Pioneering
15. Michelle Ho Huey, Vice President, Strategy and Operations, Renasant Bio
16. Ben Hohl, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development, Enliven Therapeutics
17. Lex Johnson, Chief Platform Officer, Dispatch Bio
18. Anastasiia Kamenska, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Azalea Therapeutics
19. Amy Kauffman, Senior Principal Scientist, Bristol Myers Squibb
20. Arthur Kuan, Chairman, President and CEO, CG Oncology
21. William Leonardi, Director, Program Manager Office, Avid Bioservices
22. Klevin Lo, Senior Director, Business Development, Altos Labs; Vice President, Milky Way Investments
23. Sophia Lugo, CEO, Radar Therapeutics
24. Blake Mandell, Advisor, Transcend Therapeutics
25. Narbe Mardirossian, Chief Technology Officer, Terray Therapeutics
26. Trevor Martin, Co-Founder and CEO, Mammoth Biosciences
27. Saber Meamardoost, Associate Director–Research, Data Science and AI, Boehringer Ingelheim
28. Kimberly Nettles, Director of Health Advocacy, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group
29. Haichen Nie, Associate Director, Biologics Drug Product Development, Teva Pharmaceuticals
30. Kanwal Palla, Senior Director, Research and Development, Slingshot Biosciences
31. Nindhana Paranthaman, Vice President, Early Clinical Development, Bicara Therapeutics
32. Morgan Paull, Chief Operating Officer, GondolaBio
33. Matthew Pierce, Director, Operations, Hikma Pharmaceuticals
34. Samantha Piteri-Molina, Vice President of Business and Strategy, Forge Biologics
35. Caitlin Prendes, Vice President, CMC, Abcentra
36. Zvonimir Vrselja, CEO and Co-Founder, Bexorg
37. Hannah Walter, Enterprise Strategic Operations, Parabilis Medicines
38. Qing Yu Christina Weng, Chief Medical Officer, Pelage Pharmaceuticals
39. Johnny Yu, Chief Scientific Officer, Tahoe Therapeutics
40. 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.

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