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Jeffrey S. Aronin

Dynamic, Entrepreneurial, Philanthropic

Jeffrey S. Aronin
Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer – Paragon Pharmaceuticals

I realized early in my career that I wanted to be involved in meaningful work that allowed me to be intimately involved in something I truly cared about, made a real difference in the lives of others, and filled an unmet need. Paragon Pharmaceuticals is the realization of that goal. Developing pharmaceutical medication for rare diseases and targeted diseases that can improve lives is meaningful work. Our team and I are committed to improving the quality of lives of others through developing new prescription medications.”

Aronin’s vision for Paragon Pharmaceuticals is an outgrowth of his many years of experience in pharmaceuticals and finance. Jeff began to realize this vision when he founded Ovation Pharmaceuticals in 2000. With private financial backing, Ovation Pharmaceuticals prospered under Jeff’s leadership as CEO. He built Ovation into one of the world’s premier drug companies, developing drugs for rare diseases. Ovation was sold in 2009 to Lundbeck Inc., one of the world’s leading central nervous system pharmaceutical companies for $900 million. After the acquisition, Jeff served as Lundbeck’s President and CEO. In December 2009, he founded Paragon Pharmaceuticals.

Jeff has more than 20 years of experience leading pharmaceutical and life science companies, including MedCare, American Health Products and Carter-Wallace. He is recognized as an industry-leading life sciences entrepreneur.  He was deemed one of the future leaders of the industry by Pharmaceutical Executive in 2008, and named one of the most inspirational leaders in pharma by PharmaVOICE in 2008.

Jeff currently serves on several business and civic boards, including Discover Financial Services (DFS, NYSE), the University of Chicago Medical Center, the Museum of Science and Industry, World Business Chicago, Co-officer of Chicago Next, the Young Presidents Organization and the Economic Club of Chicago Board. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and Chairman of the Patient Impact Initiative.

Jeff is an active philanthropist, he freely gives of his talent and resources to causes he finds critical. This includes the sciences, rare diseases, advancing education and funding of disease state organization and humanitarian issues.