The top 50 billionaire inventors

Piaoyang Sun – Estimated Net Worth Today: $17.1B.

Sun Piaoyang transformed Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, which was previously state-led, into one of the biggest manufacturers of tumour-treating medicines and anti-infection drugs in China.

Under his leadership, the company has become one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in China, specializing in the development and manufacturing of oncology drugs, surgical anesthesia, and other medical treatments.

Sun has received numerous awards, including the Forbes “Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen” in 2013 and “Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy” in 2015.