Michael R. Milken is the founder and chairman of the Milken Institute and a long-time funder and convener in biomedical research and public health. Through his personal experience with cancer, after his mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer his father’s melanoma prognosis, and later his own experience as a cancer survivor, he co-founded the Milken Family Foundation (1982), which has supported research and programs across areas including leukemia, breast cancer, and brain cancer, and founded the Prostate Cancer Foundation (1993) and FasterCures (2003) to accelerate research progress by reducing barriers across the medical innovation pipeline.
Through convening power and advocacy, Milken has also pushed for larger, more sustained public investment in biomedical research and has championed data-driven approaches that shorten timelines for trials, approvals, and access.
The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have helped shape current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership and education. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Influential People in Oncology in 2025 and stay tuned for the results of special category nominations to be announced.
