2019

Asia's Top
Healthcare Leaders
50

A 2019 InfluenceAsia ranking of the healthcare leaders shaping Asia's biopharma, hospitals, digital health, diagnostics, medtech, vaccines and care delivery ecosystems.

Edited by InfluenceAsia Editorial Desk Healthcare Leaders 50 2019 Annual Edition

A 2019 InfluenceAsia ranking of the healthcare leaders shaping Asia's biopharma, hospitals, digital health, diagnostics, medtech, vaccines and care delivery ecosystems.

Written as a 2019 edition, using leadership roles, healthcare influence and field contributions visible during 2019.

An independent InfluenceAsia original ranking produced for formal editorial publication and web-ready presentation.

50Leaders

12Connected markets

37Healthcare fields

99.1Top score

2019 Healthcare Lens

Leadership at the point where scale met access

Eligible candidates are founders, chief executives, chairpersons, scientist-entrepreneurs, hospital builders, digital health founders, medical technology leaders and healthcare capital builders whose work materially shaped healthcare markets, access, innovation or delivery in 2019.

InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Top Healthcare Leaders 2019 evaluates individual leadership in Asian healthcare as it stood during 2019.

Representative Standouts

Healthcare leaders who shaped the 2019 edition

The top of the list reflects the breadth of Asian healthcare influence in 2019, from Japanese and Chinese biopharma to Indian biotechnology, vaccines, diagnostics and care delivery platforms.

#1 / 99.1

Christophe Weber

Japan
Takeda Pharmaceutical
President and Chief Executive Officer

Takeda's globalisation leader in 2019, redefining Japan's place in high-value biopharmaceuticals.

#2 / 98.9

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

India
Biocon
Chairperson and Managing Director

India's leading biotech entrepreneur in 2019, combining innovation, biosimilars and access-driven healthcare.

#3 / 98.7

Li Ge

China
WuXi AppTec
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

WuXi AppTec's founder in 2019, placing China at the centre of global drug discovery services.

#4 / 98.4

John V. Oyler

China
BeiGene
Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

BeiGene's co-founder in 2019, representing China's global oncology biotechnology ambition.

#5 / 98.2

Michael Yu

China
Innovent Biologics
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Innovent's founder in 2019, advancing China's affordable biologics and immuno-oncology capabilities.

#6 / 98

Sun Piaoyang

China
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine
Founder and Chairman

Hengrui's founder in 2019, symbolising China's shift toward research-led pharmaceutical innovation.

Full List

The 50 healthcare leaders in the 2019 list

Entries include rank, leader, 2019 role and base, market, platform, field, score and InfluenceAsia's editorial rationale.

Rank	Leader	Market	Platform	Field	Score	2019 Rationale
1	Christophe WeberPresident and Chief Executive Officer Tokyo, Japan	Japan	Takeda Pharmaceutical	Biopharmaceutical leadership Global biopharma transformation	99.1	Christophe Weber ranks #1 in this 2019 edition because he led Japan's most consequential pharmaceutical transformation of 2019, taking Takeda into a larger global rare-disease, oncology, neuroscience and specialty-care profile.
2	Kiran Mazumdar-ShawChairperson and Managing Director Bengaluru, India	India	Biocon	Biotechnology and biosimilars Affordable biologics and Indian life-science innovation	98.9	Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ranks #2 in this 2019 edition because she remained Asia's most visible biotechnology entrepreneur, linking biosimilars, research capability and access-oriented healthcare economics.
3	Li GeChairman and Chief Executive Officer Shanghai, China	China	WuXi AppTec	Pharmaceutical R&D services Global drug discovery infrastructure	98.7	Li Ge ranks #3 in this 2019 edition because he built one of Asia's most important research and development service platforms for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
4	John V. OylerCo-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Beijing, China	China	BeiGene	Oncology biotechnology Global oncology from China	98.4	John V. Oyler ranks #4 in this 2019 edition because he led one of China's most globally ambitious oncology biotechnology companies through a landmark year for internally developed medicines.
5	Michael YuFounder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Suzhou, China	China	Innovent Biologics	Biologics and immuno-oncology Affordable innovative biologics	98.2	Michael Yu ranks #5 in this 2019 edition because he built a China-based biologics company focused on high-quality innovation, immuno-oncology and affordability.
6	Sun PiaoyangFounder and Chairman Lianyungang, China	China	Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine	Pharmaceutical innovation Domestic drug innovation and oncology development	98	Sun Piaoyang ranks #6 in this 2019 edition because he led one of China's strongest innovative pharmaceutical companies, with growing strength in oncology and specialty medicines.
7	Haruo NaitoChief Executive Officer Tokyo, Japan	Japan	Eisai	Pharmaceutical research Neurology, oncology and patient-centred innovation	97.8	Haruo Naito ranks #7 in this 2019 edition because he sustained Eisai's identity as a Japanese research-led pharmaceutical company focused on neurology, oncology and patient-centred care.
8	Sunao ManabePresident and Chief Executive Officer Tokyo, Japan	Japan	Daiichi Sankyo	Pharmaceutical research Oncology pipeline execution	97.6	Sunao Manabe ranks #8 in this 2019 edition because he advanced one of Japan's most important oncology pipelines and strengthened Daiichi Sankyo's global specialty-pharma profile.
9	Kenji YasukawaPresident and Chief Executive Officer Tokyo, Japan	Japan	Astellas Pharma	Pharmaceutical research Specialty medicines and global R&D discipline	97.3	Kenji Yasukawa ranks #9 in this 2019 edition because he guided Astellas through a strategy centred on specialty medicines, global development and disciplined research investment.
10	Isao TeshirogiPresident and Chief Executive Officer Osaka, Japan	Japan	Shionogi	Pharmaceutical research Infectious disease and antibiotic innovation	97.1	Isao Teshirogi ranks #10 in this 2019 edition because he led one of Japan's most focused pharmaceutical innovators in infectious disease, antiviral science and antimicrobial research.
11	Adar PoonawallaChief Executive Officer Pune, India	India	Serum Institute of India	Vaccines and biologics manufacturing High-volume vaccine access	96.9	Adar Poonawalla ranks #11 in this 2019 edition because he led one of the world's most important vaccine manufacturers from India, combining industrial scale with access-oriented public-health relevance.
12	Dilip ShanghviFounder and Managing Director Mumbai, India	India	Sun Pharmaceutical Industries	Pharmaceutical manufacturing and specialty medicines Indian pharma scale and specialty strategy	96.7	Dilip Shanghvi ranks #12 in this 2019 edition because he remained one of India's most influential pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, leading a company with global generics and specialty-medicine reach.
13	Seo Jung-jinFounder and Chairman Incheon, South Korea	South Korea	Celltrion	Biosimilars and biologics Korean biosimilar leadership	96.5	Seo Jung-jin ranks #13 in this 2019 edition because he built South Korea's most globally recognised biosimilar company and helped make biologics manufacturing a national healthcare strength.
14	Kim Tae-hanPresident and Chief Executive Officer Incheon, South Korea	South Korea	Samsung Biologics	Biologics manufacturing CDMO scale and manufacturing excellence	96.2	Kim Tae-han ranks #14 in this 2019 edition because he led Samsung's biomanufacturing platform as Korea became a serious global force in biologics production.
15	Samantha DuFounder, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Shanghai, China	China	Zai Lab	Biotechnology and medicines access China-focused global biotech execution	96	Samantha Du ranks #15 in this 2019 edition because she built a China-based biotech company combining internal development, partnerships and faster patient access to innovative medicines.
16	Chris ChenChief Executive Officer Wuxi, China	China	WuXi Biologics	Biologics manufacturing services Open-access biologics development and manufacturing	95.8	Chris Chen ranks #16 in this 2019 edition because he led a biologics service platform that helped global and Chinese innovators develop and manufacture complex biological medicines.
17	Wang TaoChairman and Chief Executive Officer Shanghai, China	China	Ping An Good Doctor	Digital health Telemedicine and consumer health platforms	95.6	Wang Tao ranks #17 in this 2019 edition because he led China's most visible online healthcare platform, combining consultations, health management, pharmacy and offline service links.
18	Liao JieyuanFounder and Chief Executive Officer Hangzhou, China	China	WeDoctor	Digital health Online appointments and connected medical services	95.4	Liao Jieyuan ranks #18 in this 2019 edition because he built a digital healthcare network linking patients, hospitals, doctors and appointment systems.
19	Prathap C. ReddyFounder and Chairman Chennai, India	India	Apollo Hospitals	Hospital systems Private hospital networks and clinical service scale	95.1	Prathap C. Reddy ranks #19 in this 2019 edition because he created one of Asia's most influential private hospital systems and set a benchmark for organised tertiary care in India.
20	Sangita ReddyJoint Managing Director Hyderabad / Chennai, India	India	Apollo Hospitals	Healthcare delivery and digital health Integrated hospital operations and health access	94.9	Sangita Reddy ranks #20 in this 2019 edition because she represented the next generation of Indian hospital leadership, combining operational scale, technology adoption and access initiatives.
21	Devi ShettyFounder and Chairman Bengaluru, India	India	Narayana Health	Hospital systems and cardiac care Affordable specialty care	94.7	Devi Shetty ranks #21 in this 2019 edition because he pioneered a high-volume, cost-conscious hospital model aimed at making complex specialty care more accessible.
22	Naresh TrehanChairman and Managing Director Gurugram, India	India	Medanta	Hospital systems and cardiac surgery Advanced tertiary care and clinical leadership	94.5	Naresh Trehan ranks #22 in this 2019 edition because he built a major Indian multi-specialty medical institution around advanced clinical talent and complex care.
23	Azad MoopenFounder Chairman and Managing Director Dubai, United Arab Emirates	United Arab Emirates / India	Aster DM Healthcare	Healthcare delivery Cross-border hospital and clinic networks	94.3	Azad Moopen ranks #23 in this 2019 edition because he built a healthcare network spanning hospitals, clinics and pharmacies across Gulf and Indian markets.
24	Tan See LengGroup Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Singapore	Singapore / Malaysia	IHH Healthcare	Hospital systems Pan-Asian private healthcare networks	94	Tan See Leng ranks #24 in this 2019 edition because he led one of Asia's largest private healthcare groups across hospitals, specialist care and international patient flows.
25	Prasert Prasarttong-OsothFounder and senior healthcare entrepreneur Bangkok, Thailand	Thailand	Bangkok Dusit Medical Services	Hospital systems Regional hospital networks and medical tourism	93.8	Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth ranks #25 in this 2019 edition because he helped create Thailand's most influential private hospital network and strengthened the country's medical tourism position.
26	Boon VanasinFounder and Chairman Bangkok, Thailand	Thailand	Thonburi Healthcare Group	Hospital systems Private hospitals and ageing-care strategy	93.6	Boon Vanasin ranks #26 in this 2019 edition because he built a Thai healthcare group with hospitals, specialist services and a growing interest in ageing-care models.
27	Pankaj PatelChairman Ahmedabad, India	India	Zydus Cadila	Pharmaceuticals and vaccines Indian drug development and healthcare manufacturing	93.4	Pankaj Patel ranks #27 in this 2019 edition because he led a major Indian pharmaceutical group across generics, vaccines, biologics and specialty healthcare products.
28	Satish ReddyChairman Hyderabad, India	India	Dr. Reddy's Laboratories	Pharmaceuticals Global generics and quality-led pharmaceutical manufacturing	93.2	Satish Reddy ranks #28 in this 2019 edition because he led one of India's most respected global generics companies with a focus on quality, regulatory discipline and access.
29	Umang VohraManaging Director and Global Chief Executive Officer Mumbai, India	India	Cipla	Pharmaceuticals and respiratory care Access-oriented medicine and global respiratory therapy	92.9	Umang Vohra ranks #29 in this 2019 edition because he led a long-established Indian pharmaceutical company known for access, respiratory therapies and regulated-market execution.
30	Glenn SaldanhaChairman and Managing Director Mumbai, India	India	Glenmark Pharmaceuticals	Pharmaceutical research Specialty medicines and discovery-led pharma	92.7	Glenn Saldanha ranks #30 in this 2019 edition because he built Glenmark as an Indian pharmaceutical company with a stronger discovery and specialty-medicine orientation.
31	Vinita GuptaChief Executive Officer Mumbai / Baltimore	India / United States	Lupin	Pharmaceuticals Global generics and women-led pharma leadership	92.5	Vinita Gupta ranks #31 in this 2019 edition because she led one of India's largest pharmaceutical companies through a demanding global generics environment.
32	Krishna EllaFounder, Chairman and Managing Director Hyderabad, India	India	Bharat Biotech	Vaccines and biotechnology Indian vaccine science and indigenous R&D	92.3	Krishna Ella ranks #32 in this 2019 edition because he built a vaccine company focused on Indian research capability, public-health needs and biologics manufacturing.
33	Ameera ShahManaging Director Mumbai, India	India	Metropolis Healthcare	Diagnostics Clinical diagnostics and organised pathology networks	92.1	Ameera Shah ranks #33 in this 2019 edition because she led one of India's leading diagnostics companies through a year of heightened public-market visibility and healthcare-brand credibility.
34	A. VelumaniFounder and Chairman Mumbai, India	India	Thyrocare Technologies	Diagnostics High-volume diagnostic testing	91.8	A. Velumani ranks #34 in this 2019 edition because he built a diagnostics company around scale, automation, affordability and thyroid-testing specialisation.
35	Shashank NDCo-founder and Chief Executive Officer Bengaluru, India	India	Practo	Digital health Doctor discovery and patient navigation	91.6	Shashank ND ranks #35 in this 2019 edition because he built one of India's most visible digital health platforms for doctor discovery, appointments and healthcare information.
36	Jonathan SudhartaFounder and Chief Executive Officer Jakarta, Indonesia	Indonesia	Halodoc	Digital health Telemedicine, pharmacy delivery and patient access	91.4	Jonathan Sudharta ranks #36 in this 2019 edition because he led Indonesia's leading digital health platform across remote consultations, pharmacy services and health information.
37	Ranjan PaiChairman Bengaluru, India	India	Manipal Education and Medical Group	Hospital systems and health education Integrated care and medical education	91.2	Ranjan Pai ranks #37 in this 2019 edition because he led a major Indian healthcare and education group combining hospitals, medical training and clinical services.
38	GSK VeluFounder and Chairman Chennai, India	India	Trivitron Healthcare / Neuberg Diagnostics	Medical technology and diagnostics Indian medtech and diagnostic networks	91	GSK Velu ranks #38 in this 2019 edition because he built healthcare ventures across medical devices, diagnostics and laboratory networks from an Indian base.
39	Alex ZhavoronkovFounder and Chief Executive Officer Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Insilico Medicine	AI drug discovery Artificial intelligence for pharmaceutical research	90.7	Alex Zhavoronkov ranks #39 in this 2019 edition because he advanced one of Asia's most visible AI-driven drug discovery companies from Hong Kong.
40	Xue MinChairman Shanghai, China	China	United Imaging Healthcare	Medical imaging and equipment High-end medical devices and imaging systems	90.5	Xue Min ranks #40 in this 2019 edition because he built a Chinese medical equipment company competing in advanced imaging, radiation therapy and healthcare digitalisation.
41	Xia YuFounder, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer Zhongshan / Shanghai, China	China	Akeso Biopharma	Biotechnology and immuno-oncology Antibody therapeutics and innovative biologics	90.3	Xia Yu ranks #41 in this 2019 edition because she led a rising Chinese biotech company focused on antibody drugs and immuno-oncology.
42	Jiang RenshengChairman Chongqing, China	China	Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products	Vaccines and biologics Vaccine distribution and biological products	90.1	Jiang Rensheng ranks #42 in this 2019 edition because he led one of China's major vaccine and biological products companies through a period of rising immunisation demand.
43	Yin WeidongChairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Beijing, China	China	Sinovac Biotech	Vaccines Vaccine development and manufacturing	89.9	Yin Weidong ranks #43 in this 2019 edition because he led a vaccine company with long-standing experience in human vaccines and emerging-market immunisation needs.
44	Du WeiminChairman Shenzhen, China	China	Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products	Vaccines Human vaccines and immunisation manufacturing	89.6	Du Weimin ranks #44 in this 2019 edition because he led a vaccine manufacturer focused on human immunisation products and domestic biological capability.
45	Cao XiaochunCo-founder and senior executive leader Hangzhou, China	China	Tigermed	Clinical research services Clinical trials and drug-development infrastructure	89.4	Cao Xiaochun ranks #45 in this 2019 edition because she helped build one of China's most important clinical research organisations for drug-development services.
46	Wu YifangChairman and Chief Executive Officer Shanghai, China	China	Fosun Pharma	Pharmaceuticals and healthcare investment Integrated pharma, devices and healthcare services	89.2	Wu Yifang ranks #46 in this 2019 edition because he led a diversified Chinese healthcare group across pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics and healthcare services.
47	Li TiantianFounder and Chairman Hangzhou, China	China	DXY	Digital health and physician communities Medical knowledge networks and healthcare media	89	Li Tiantian ranks #47 in this 2019 edition because he built a major physician-facing digital platform for medical knowledge, professional communities and health information.
48	Marius NachtCo-founder and healthcare investor Tel Aviv, Israel	Israel	aMoon	Healthcare investment Healthtech capital and life-science company building	88.8	Marius Nacht ranks #48 in this 2019 edition because he helped turn specialised healthcare investment into a visible Israeli platform for biotech, digital health and medical technology.
49	Nadav KidronChief Executive Officer Jerusalem, Israel	Israel	Oramed Pharmaceuticals	Drug delivery technology Oral biologics and diabetes innovation	88.5	Nadav Kidron ranks #49 in this 2019 edition because he led a drug delivery company focused on oral delivery of therapies traditionally given by injection.
50	B.R. ShettyFounder and Chairman Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	United Arab Emirates / India	NMC Healthcare	Healthcare services Gulf hospital networks and pharmacy services	88.3	B.R. Shetty ranks #50 in this 2019 edition because he was one of the most visible healthcare entrepreneurs in the Gulf, associated with hospital networks, pharmacy services and expatriate patient care.

Methodology

InfluenceAsia Research Methodology

InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Top Healthcare Leaders 2019 evaluates individual leadership in Asian healthcare as it stood during 2019.

The edition excludes political officeholders, celebrity-only profiles, pure investors without healthcare depth and individuals whose 2019 relevance was not materially connected to healthcare leadership.

The ranking is written from a 2019 publishing perspective and avoids later-period hindsight.

Influence is evaluated through healthcare consequence, not personal visibility alone.

Enterprise scale is considered only when the leader materially shaped care delivery, medicine development, diagnostics, digital health, medical technology or healthcare infrastructure.

The language is designed for formal publication, professional profiles and web presentation.

25% Healthcare Impact And Scale
20% Innovation And Clinical Contribution
20% Access And Delivery Contribution
15% Institutional Leadership
15% International Relevance
5% Leadership Originality

Notes

Copyright, independence and disclaimer

This edition is published as an independent InfluenceAsia editorial research product for public-facing healthcare leadership coverage.

Rights Ownership

This ranking, methodology, editorial text, scoring structure, profile language and presentation framework are original InfluenceAsia research and editorial assets.

Permitted Use

The material may be used for InfluenceAsia-branded editorial pages, research presentations, ranking tables, digital profiles and archival publication formats.

Restriction

No part of this edition may be represented as a ranking, certification or endorsement produced by any party other than InfluenceAsia.

Editorial Disclaimer

This edition is an independent editorial research product prepared by InfluenceAsia. It is not medical advice, investment advice, clinical guidance, legal judgement, employment screening or commercial certification. Rankings are based on InfluenceAsia editorial assessment of healthcare leadership visible during 2019. Inclusion does not imply approval by any listed individual or company, and exclusion does not imply negative assessment. InfluenceAsia reserves the right to revise future editions as markets, leadership roles and healthcare sectors evolve.