The Magic of Normal

2025 Global Book Awards Gold Medalist in Biographies & Memoirs - Women

In The Magic of Normal: Love, Hope and Beyond, Dr. Maky Zanganeh, an indomitable businesswoman and biotech CEO opens her heart to share an extraordinary journey marked by resilience, hope, and transformation. Known for her relentless ambition and groundbreaking achievements in the biotech industry, Maky’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with cancer amidst the global turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her bustling life, filled with high-stakes projects and constant travel, was abruptly paused. The enforced stillness brought by her cancer treatments and the worldwide lockdown offered Maky a unique opportunity for introspection. Instead of succumbing to despair, she embraced this period as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Her journey through treatment, combined with the stories of those she met along the way, forms the heart of this compelling narrative.

At MD Anderson Cancer Center, Maky encountered a wide range of individuals, each battling their own challenges with cancer. From the young couple facing a terminal diagnosis to the mother juggling the care of her two ill children, these stories of courage and love deeply resonated with her. These experiences not only provided solace during her own treatment but also reinforced her commitment to advancing medical research and innovation.

Maky’s professional achievements are as remarkable as her personal journey. She played a pivotal role in bringing revolutionary cancer treatments to the market, including the development of Imbruvica, a groundbreaking oral therapy for blood cancer. Her work has had a transformative impact on patient care, offering new hope and improved outcomes for countless individuals worldwide. These professional milestones underscore the book’s central theme: the profound intersection of science, innovation, and human resilience.

The Magic of Normal: Love, Hope and Beyond is much more than just a memoir; it is a beacon of inspiration for anyone facing life's interruptions. Maky’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of immense adversity, it is possible to find strength, purpose, and hope. Her dedication to medical research and her unyielding spirit offer a roadmap for overcoming challenges and rediscovering the beauty in everyday life.

This book is dedicated to those whose lives have been upended by illness or global crises, and to those who dream of returning to the simple, yet profound, magic of normal. Maky’s message is clear: you are not alone. With courage, community, and the relentless pursuit of innovation, we can all navigate the darkest nights and emerge into the daylight of hope and recovery.

The Magic of Normal: Love, Hope and Beyond is a testament to the transformative power of a trailblazing and entrepreneurial spirit. Maky invites readers to join her on this journey, sharing lessons learned and the enduring belief that with perseverance, we can all find our way back to the magic of normal.

Dr. MAKY ZANGANEH has led many industry transformations ranging from minimally invasive surgical robotics, to a patient-friendly small molecule drug for blood cancer patients. She is known by her colleagues as a leader who has a proven track record of bringing unmistakable intensity and clarity to companies who have transformed healthcare for the betterment of humankind. She firmly believes in the concept “take responsibility and the ability will follow.”

Maky is currently the Co-Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as a member of the board at Summit Therapeutics―a company focusing on the development and commercialization of physician and patient-friendly oncology therapies.

Prior to that, Dr Zanganeh, as Chief Operating Officer at Pharmacyclics (a patient-friendly oncology company), led a struggling biotech company to a multimillion-dollar collaboration and license deal for ibrutinib with Janssen Biotech Inc. in 2011 and, the subsequent sale of the company for $21 billion dollars in 2015 to AbbVie Inc. The deal with Janssen Biotech received the award of the “Best Biotech Transaction” in 2011. Under her leadership in 2015, Pharmacyclics was also awarded the prestigious Prix Galien for “Best Pharmaceutical Agent.” This award is the biomedical industry’s highest accolade and recognizes outstanding achievements in the development of new therapies.

Prior to Pharmacyclics, Dr. Zanganeh was President of EMEA /Global VP of Training and Education for Computer Motion, Inc. (Pioneers in Robotic Surgery) which later merged with the Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG) company in June 2003.

Dr. Zanganeh was awarded her DDS (Dental Degree of Surgery) from the Louis Pasteur University, France and an MBA from Schiller International University, France. She is fluent in French, German, Farsi, and English.

Dr Zanganeh was featured in the article "CEO appointments―21 women who made CEO in 2022" in the publication Business Chief Leadership & Strategy, August 2022. She also earned the Fierce Biotech “2013 Top women in Biotech” award, and the Ernst & Yang company “Entrepreneur of the Year” 2013 award. Recently Dr. Zanganeh was an honored speaker at the United Nations on February 11, 2022 during the 7th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly conference.