Billionaire Profile
Stéphane Bancel
Global Rank
#2865

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Stéphane Bancel

CEO, Moderna
FR
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.2B
As of December 2025
Age
53
Source
Biotech, vaccines
Industry
healthcare
Citizenship
FR

Biography

Stéphane Bancel, a French-born business executive, is the CEO of Moderna, a pioneering biotechnology company. Born in Marseille, France, in 1972, Bancel's career began at Eli Lilly and Company, where he honed his leadership skills. He later became the CEO of BioMérieux, a French diagnostics company, before joining Moderna in 2011. Under his leadership, Moderna has become a leader in mRNA technology, developing vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases, cancer, and rare genetic disorders. As of December 2025, his net worth is estimated to be $1.2 billion. His source of wealth is primarily attributed to his stake in Moderna. Bancel's achievements include receiving the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Award in the Life Sciences category and being nominated as Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur in 2022.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Stéphane Bancel was born on July 20, 1972, in Marseille, France. His father was an engineer, and his mother was a doctor, which cultivated his interest in science and technology from a young age. He studied engineering at École Centrale Paris and biological engineering at the University of Minnesota, earning master's degrees. He also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Rise to Success

Bancel's career began at Eli Lilly and Company, where he served as a sales director and later as head of operations for Belgium. In 2007, he became the CEO of BioMérieux, a French diagnostics company, improving the company's margins during his tenure. In 2011, Bancel joined Moderna as CEO, a move that was considered a bold decision.

Key Business Strategies

Under Bancel's leadership, Moderna has focused on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology for drug development. He spearheaded the development of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, which received FDA approval and helped the company achieve significant financial success. Bancel has been known for fostering a culture of secrecy within Moderna, limiting external scrutiny of its research.

Philanthropy

Stéphane Bancel has expressed intentions to allocate his wealth to philanthropy and the healthcare sector. A specific amount of his philanthropic donations could not be found via search.

Career Milestones

2000

Joined Eli Lilly and Company

Held various roles, including Director of Sales and Marketing and Head of Operations for Belgium.

2007

CEO of BioMérieux

Improved the company's margins during his tenure.

2011

CEO of Moderna

Led Moderna's growth and development of mRNA technology, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

2021

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award

Received the award in the Life Sciences category.

2022

Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur

Nominated as Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur in France.

2024

Elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering

Recognized for his contributions to the field.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Healthcare

Undisclosed Charitable Causes

$0.355B

Pledged stock options for undisclosed charitable causes.