John C. Martin

John Charles Martin (May 7, 1951 – March 30, 2021) was an American billionaire businessman, and the former executive chairman (2016–2018) and CEO (1996–2016) of the American biotechnology company Gilead Sciences. He joined Gilead Sciences in 1990 as vice president for research and development. Gilead is known for developing drugs such as Atripla (for HIV/AIDS) and commercializing Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) for the treatment of the liver virus hepatitis C. Martin is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Biotechnology Heritage Award (2017). Education Martin earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University, an MBA in marketing from Golden Gate University and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Chicago. He served on the board of trustees of the latter two universities. Career Syntex Corporation Martin worked at Syntex Corporation from 1978 to 1984.