Martine Rothblatt, the CEO of United Therapeutics, has become the world’s newest billionaire thanks to the success of her biotech firm in developing treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a disease her daughter was diagnosed with in 1996. Rothblatt founded United Therapeutics with the goal of finding a cure for her daughter’s illness, and after nearly three decades of hard work, her daughter is now healthy and in her 30s. The company’s shares have surged, up 50% so far in 2024 and 40% since April 30, leading to Rothblatt’s billionaire status.
United Therapeutics, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, has seen significant success in the biotech industry, generating $2.1 billion in sales last year from selling FDA-approved drugs to treat PAH. The company’s stock has also been on the rise, driven by excitement over its pulmonary hypertension drugs and a 41% year-over-year increase in revenue from its star drug, Tyvaso. Rothblatt has been at the helm of the $14.7 billion firm since she founded it and has been instrumental in pushing the company’s subsidiary Revivicor into xenotransplantation, specifically manufacturing pig organs for human transplants.
Rothblatt’s journey to becoming a billionaire has been a winding one. Born in San Diego in 1954, she started as a telecommunications lawyer before cofounding Sirius Satellite Radio in 1990. After her daughter was diagnosed with PAH, Rothblatt sold $3 million worth of SiriusXM stock to fund research for a treatment, eventually leading to the founding of United Therapeutics in 1999. The company achieved success with its PAH treatments, including Remodulin and Tyvaso, leading to Rothblatt’s growing wealth and net worth now estimated at $1 billion.
In addition to her work in the biotech industry, Rothblatt is a well-known advocate for LGBTQ rights and transgender issues. As a transgender woman herself, Rothblatt has been outspoken on these issues and has used her platform to fight for equality and inclusion. She is also a licensed helicopter pilot and a believer in transhumanism, the idea that people can upload their minds to computers in the future. Rothblatt’s partnership with her wife Bina and their work on the Terasem Movement reflects her commitment to exploring new technologies and possibilities for the future.
United Therapeutics’ success in developing treatments for PAH and pioneering xenotransplantation with pig organs marks a significant milestone in Rothblatt’s career. The company’s recent achievements in transplanting hearts and kidneys grown in genetically altered pigs have shown promise in saving lives and expanding the possibilities for organ transplants. With Rothblatt’s dedication to pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers in biotech, she has solidified herself as one of America’s few self-made women billionaires and a trailblazer in the industry.
As Rothblatt continues to lead United Therapeutics and pursue groundbreaking advancements in biotech, her daughter’s successful battle with PAH serves as a reminder of the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. Rothblatt’s determination to find a cure for her daughter’s illness has not only saved her life but has also propelled her to the billionaire status, showcasing the transformative power of perseverance and innovation in the world of healthcare and biotechnology.
