Who / What
Martin Shkreli is an American investor and businessman known for his involvement in hedge funds and pharmaceutical companies.
Background & History
Born on March 17, 1983, Shkreli co‑founded the hedge funds Elea Capital, MSMB Capital Management, and MSMB Healthcare. He also co‑founded and served as CEO of pharmaceutical firms Retrophin and Turing Pharmaceuticals, and later became the CEO of the start‑up software company Gödel Systems, which he founded in August 2016. His career spans finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
Why Notable
Shkreli’s notoriety rose when Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of the antiparasitic drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 per pill in September 2015. The move triggered a global scandal and earned him the label “the most hated man in America.” His actions highlighted issues of drug pricing and corporate ethics.
In the News
Shkreli remains a figure of public interest due to legal proceedings, including a 2015 drug‑price hike controversy and subsequent criminal charges. Recent coverage often focuses on the legal outcomes and his influence on pharmaceutical industry regulation.