From the conduct of research perceptions to the marketing of new treatments, life sciences and professionals are increasingly requested.
Urizona State University responds to this request with the launch of McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, or MLSBE, program – A bold interdisciplinary experience launch in the fall of 2026 and designed for students who wish to direct the future of health care innovation.
Established by a generous gift from the former ASU Mark and Sheri McKenna, the program reflects the common commitment of the couple to advance innovation in health care. Both are graduates of Business school WP Carey 2002 class – Mark in Marketing and Sheri in Finance and Marketing.
At a glance
- Future leaders and health care innovators will accelerate their way through the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship program, allowing the next generation of biotechnological game changers.
- Cross collaboration between the WP Carey School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the program reflects the status of the ASU as the most innovative university in America.
- The program will be launched in 2026 thanks to a generous gift from Mark and Sheri McKenna.
Their passion combined to fill the life sciences, business and entrepreneurship now opens the way to future change of Changemakers.
The McKennas gift will offer students the tools, experiences and interdisciplinary networks necessary to direct the future of health care, which combines academic excellence with real world experience and access to industry.
Students obtain two baccalaureate diplomas – one in finance and one in a discipline in natural sciences, choosing from the biological sciences (biomedical sciences), data sciences, biochemistry (medicinal chemistry), biochemistry or neuroscience – no longer a certificate in entrepreneurs and innovation, all in four years.
The program ends in a senior nap project which applies scientific knowledge and business sense to the challenges of the real world industry.
As a Biotechnology, Executive and Director entrepreneur, Mark McKenna is well known for his leadership as president, president and chief executive officer of Prometheus Biosciences. In its direction, the Biotechnology Company of the Clinical Stadium has raised more than a billion dollars in funding, launched the first clinical trial of Therapeutics precision for immune mediation diseases and was acquired by Merck Pharmaceutical Company in 2023 for $ 10.8 billion, one of the largest clinical trials of phase 3).
He is currently a founder, president and chief executive officer of Mirador Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing precision drugs for immune and inflammatory diseases. He is also president of Apogee Therapeutics, which focuses on the treatments of immunological and inflammatory conditions, and as director of the board of directors in Newamsterdam Pharma, a Cardiometabolic Pharmacy Company, and Spyre Therapeutics, which specializes in the treatments of chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive paragraph. In addition, he is a party capital partner at Arch Venture Partners, a leading company that builds and invests in life science startups, and main advisor at Fairmount Funds, an investment company focused on health care.
“When I was a student at ASU, I saw first-hand how powerful it is to think beyond a discipline,” said Mark McKenna, who received the Price of realization of former ASU In 2025 to excel in his profession and have contributed to the ASU, the ASU Alumni Association and the community. “This program exists to help students combine their passions in life sciences and business – and to accelerate the type of revolutionary ideas that can improve life in the world.”
“This program reflects the innovative spirit that animates everything we do at WP Carey,” said Ohad KadanCharles J. Robel Dean and WP Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. “We are deeply grateful to Mark and Sheri McKenna for their visionary gift, which provides this interdisciplinary experience.
In addition to gaining double diploma and a certificate, students will participate in specialized courses in commercial innovation in life sciences, including subjects such as the regulatory system, intellectual property, patents and venture capital.
Throughout the four -year program, students engage in mentoring, internships or research assistants, as well as recurring industry events featuring leaders of main biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies. A business commitment trip initiate students The main life sciences centers thanks to immersive visits to the site, while additional funding supports personalized career exploration during their junior year.
Students also benefit from a personalized course sequence adapted to their interdisciplinary path, to support the director of the faculty of the college and the WP Carey School, and to early immersion through a bridge program designed to strengthen the community and confidence from the first day. Additional support includes access to dedicated university and professional advisers, peers mentoring and parascolory programming via ASU Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute And the new Financial and research laboratoryhelping them to develop an entrepreneurial state of mind and financial control.
The program also offers Dreamscape LearnThe platforms Neobio and Neochem, giving life to science through immersive virtual reality experiences which allow students to explore lessons in 3D environments.
“This program is a perfect example of how college allows students to succeed in disciplines and industries,” said Kenro KusumiVice-Prévôt Main and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“As a national leader in transdisciplinary research, the college helps more students embark on medical schools and law than any other ASU college. This program is based on this inheritance by preparing students to shape the future of health care thanks to scientific discovery and entrepreneurial action. ”
About the gift
This investment is part of the ASU Change the future campaign.
ASU undertakes to provide inclusive educational access and innovative solutions to the complexities of modern life. Fueled by philanthropic investments and unique partnerships, the university’s changing campaign is committed to increasing resources to have a direct and significant impact on the communities we serve.
The campaign focuses on six key areas: improving access to education, developing leaders, promoting sustainability, strengthening communities, advancing health and developing punchy technology.