About the Book
Partly a memoir and partly a recent history of medicine, the definitive account of Michael Milken’s lifetime work to accelerate medicine's evolution from a dark past to a bright future.
What if cleaning early-stage cancers from your body could become as routine as going to the dentist to clean your teeth, or if a single vaccine could protect you against multiple viruses, or if gene editing could eliminate many birth defects and slow the aging process Mike Milken believes these, and many other advances, are within reach.
Beginning with a description of the 1950s civilization and culture that helped shape Milken's early views, Faster Cures traces the life-extending acceleration of progress in medical research, public health, and clinical treatments over the seven decades since Milken’s childhood—and shows how he helped transform the process of developing disease cures. Among many examples, he recognized the promise of immunology more than twenty-five years ago and provided crucial support for the emergence of immunotherapy as a powerful life-saving treatment.
Detailing his unique personal journey from a curious boy with an insatiable thirst for knowledge to his storied careers in finance and health, this book focuses on the events that made Milken what Fortune magazine called “The Man Who Changed Medicine.” The combined influences of social upheaval in the 1960s and family medical crises in the 1970s propelled him to dual quests on Wall Street and in medical research.
Known worldwide as a legendary financier, philanthropist, medical research innovator, and public health advocate, Milken tells fascinating anecdotes and explains his inspiring crusade to accelerate cures and treatments so that more people around the world can live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives.
About the Author :
Michael Milken’s career encompasses medical research, education, public health, and access to capital. His 1970s philanthropy expanded in 1982 with the establishment of the Milken Family Foundation. After two decades of actively supporting medical research, he became a patient when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1993. Milken also chairs the Milken Institute, a widely respected think tank. Over the last three decades, he has increased his focus on making the research process more effective and efficient. A Berkeley graduate, he earned his MBA at the Wharton School. He and his wife, Lori, have been married since 1968.
Review :
“Faster Cures is a primer on inspirational leadership from the fearless, brilliant mind of Mike Milken—a great man with a sense of urgency.” — Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society
“Here is the story of how Mike Milken changed the world, what it took, and why it matters. It took everything. He really did make the world healthier for all of us.” — Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence
“Inspirational, optimistic, and highly informative, Faster Cures gives us all hope for a brighter future. A must-read for anyone who wants to live better as they age.” — Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP
“I loved the book and its insights into how Mike Milken gets things done.” — James P. Allison, PhD, 2018 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
“This is a book of hope and inspiration. It should encourage every person and organization to find their own higher purposes.” — Deepak Chopra, MD, author of The Healing Self and other bestsellers
“Michael Milken understands our most promising scientific opportunities and how we should support and apply breakthrough medical approaches that can transform the lives of patients in need.” — Jennifer Doudna, PhD, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries in CRISPR gene editing
“In this extraordinary and inspiring book, Michael Milken describes how he revolutionized the way research is conducted, and empowered millions with new hope and choices.” — Dean Ornish, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF and creator of the Ornish Lifestyle
“I’ve seen Mike improve the world of health throughout the many years we’ve been friends. His accomplishments are amazing.” — Whoopi Goldberg, actress, author, and TV personality
“As a relentless agent of change, Mike Milken has transformed the worlds of finance, philanthropy, and medical science.” — David Heber, MD, PhD, founding director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
“Mike Milken is the smartest person I've ever met, but I never knew his backstory. Now I do.” — Frank Luntz, PhD, TV commentator, political consultant, and pollster
“Mike Milken applied competition and free-market theories to force collaboration among the world’s best scientists and doctors. The resulting breakthroughs have saved many lives.” — Maria Bartiromo, author and TV host
“Mike Milken has improved the health of millions of people by funding and celebrating innovators and tirelessly advocating for change.” — Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution and cofounder of AOL
“Focus on patients—the full diversity of patients—sets Mike apart. This is his amazing handbook for transforming a system.” — Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, former EVP and chief medical officer of Pfizer, Inc.
“No one in recent years has done more to advance the fight against serious disease.” — Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, former FDA Commissioner and former director of the National Cancer Institute
