Early Life and Education
Martine Rothblatt was born Martin Rothblatt in Chicago, Illinois, in 1954. She was raised in a Jewish family in California. Rothblatt's early life was marked by a strong sense of independence and a questioning of traditional norms. After leaving college, she traveled extensively before returning to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, she earned a B.A. in communications studies (summa cum laude) in 1977, followed by joint J.D. and M.B.A. degrees in 1981.
Rise to Success
Rothblatt's career began in satellite communications, where she saw the potential to unite the world. This vision led her to found several companies, including Geostar and Sirius Satellite Radio (later SiriusXM). SiriusXM revolutionized the radio industry with its satellite-based audio entertainment. In 1990, Rothblatt's youngest daughter, Jenesis, was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare and often fatal lung condition. Determined to save her daughter's life, Rothblatt pivoted her career to biotechnology.
Key Business Strategies
In 1996, Rothblatt founded United Therapeutics. The company's primary focus is developing treatments for PAH and other rare diseases. A key strategy was to license existing drugs and make them more accessible. Rothblatt's leadership has been marked by innovation, including the creation of zero-carbon buildings and the development of electric helicopters. United Therapeutics is also investing in xenotransplantation, including research on transplanting pig organs into humans. By 2024, the company had five FDA-approved drugs.
Philanthropy
After her daughter’s diagnosis, Rothblatt created the PPH Cure Foundation in 1995 to fund research and awareness for primary pulmonary hypertension. Her company also supports educational programs and scientific research related to extending human life through technology.
