Robert Langer

$1.60 B

Ranked #1804 in World

About Robert Langer

Renowned American biotechnologist and innovator, Robert Samuel Langer Jr., esteemed as one of the nine Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), significantly influences modern medicine and biotechnology. With a career decorated with over 1,400 patents and involvement in founding more than 40 biotech ventures, including the notable Moderna, Langer's contributions span groundbreaking drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. His research, underscored by an h-index of 320 and more than 413,000 citations, ranks him among the world's most referenced scientists. Langer's accolades include being the youngest to join all three American science academies and earning over 220 major awards, highlighting his unparalleled impact on science and engineering.

Born

August 29, 1948 in Albany, New York, United States

Age

77 years

Source Of Wealth

Biotech

Industries

Healthcare

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Boston, Massachusetts

Education

Bachelor of Engineering, Cornell University; Doctorate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Robert Samuel Langer Jr. was born on August 29, 1948, in Albany, New York. His father, Robert Samuel Langer Sr., was a chemical engineer, and his mother, Charlotte Langer, was a homemaker. Langer showed an early interest in science and engineering, and he built his first chemistry set at the age of 10. He attended Albany Academy for Boys, where he excelled in math and science.

Robert Langer: Family

Langer is married to Dr. Leslie Langer, a physician and scientist. They have two children, David and Elizabeth. Langer is also a devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren.

Robert Langer: Career Highlights

Langer received his B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in 1970. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1974. After completing his doctorate, Langer joined the faculty at MIT, where he is now the David H. Koch Institute Professor. He is also the director of the Langer Lab, which is the largest biomedical engineering lab in the world.

Robert Langer: Companies

Langer is a prolific businessman and entrepreneur. He has founded over 40 biotechnology companies, including Moderna, one of the leading developers of mRNA vaccines. Some of his other notable companies include:

Alkermes
BIND Therapeutics
Enzyvant
GlycoMimetics
Intarcia Therapeutics
Living Proof
Microchips Biotech
Novartis
Pfizer
Sanofi

Robert Langer: Major Achievements

Langer is a pioneer in the field of controlled release systems and transdermal delivery systems. He has developed a number of innovative drug delivery technologies, including:

The first angiogenesis inhibitor
Polymer systems for drug delivery to treat brain cancer
Microneedle tattoo patches for storing medical information subcutaneously
Engineered blood vessels and vascularized engineered muscle tissue
Implantable devices for type 1 diabetes
Oral insulin delivery

Robert Langer: Awards & Achievements

Langer has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including:

U.S.
National Medal of Science
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Gairdner Foundation International Award
Lemelson-MIT Prize
Othmer Gold Medal
Dickson Prize in Science
Charles Stark Draper Prize
Golden Plate Award
Harvey Prize
Dan David Prize
Albany Medical Center Prize
Max Planck Research Award
Prince of Asturias Award
Millennium Technology Prize
Economist's Innovation Award
Warren Alpert Foundation Prize
Perkin Medal
Wilhelm Exner Medal
Priestley Medal
IEEE Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technology
Biotechnology Heritage Award
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Kyoto Prize
Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Scheele Award
Kazemi Prize
Hoover Medal
European Inventor Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Kabiller Prize
Named 1# Translational Researcher in the World by Nature Biotechnology (2017, 2018)
Leadership Award for Historic Scientific Advancement
Inducted into Advanced Materials Hall of Fame
Hope Funds for Cancer Award
National Library of Medicine Distinguished Medical Science Award
Dreyfus Prize
Maurice Marie–Janot Award
Medalha da Ciência
Foreign Associate, Chinese Academy of Engineering
Biomaterials Global Impact Award
Falch Lecture Prize
John P. Merrill Award
BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award
Balzan Prize
Cornell Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award
Genome Valley Excellence Award
Hamilton Medal
Paul Janssen Award

Robert Langer: Personal Life & Legacy

Langer is a dedicated scientist and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the field of medicine and biotechnology. He is also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Langer is a role model for young scientists and engineers, and his work has inspired countless others to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Robert Langer: Trivia

In addition to his scientific achievements, Langer is also an accomplished musician. He plays the guitar, piano, and drums, and he has performed with several bands over the years. Langer is also a sports fan, and he enjoys playing tennis and basketball.

Wealth History

Timeline

Robert Samuel Langer Jr. is an American biotechnologist, businessman, chemical engineer, chemist, and inventor.

He is one of the nine Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He holds over 1,400 granted or pending patents.

He is one of the world's most highly cited researchers with an h-index of 320 and over 413,000 citations.

He is a prolific businessman, involved in the founding of over 40 biotechnology companies, including Moderna.

His research laboratory at MIT is the largest biomedical engineering lab in the world, with over $10 million in annual grants and over 100 researchers.

He is a pioneer of controlled release systems and transdermal delivery systems.

He isolated the first angiogenesis inhibitor with Judah Folkman.

He developed polymer systems for drug delivery to treat brain cancer.

He invented microneedle tattoo patches for storing medical information subcutaneously.

He is the founder of tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.

He created engineered blood vessels and vascularized engineered muscle tissue.

He is involved in projects related to diabetes, including implantable devices for type 1 diabetes and oral insulin delivery.

He is the youngest person (at 43) to be elected to all three American science academies: National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine.

He is a charter member of the National Academy of Inventors.

He is an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

He is the recipient of over 220 major awards, including the U.S. National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology and Innovation, Gairdner Foundation International Award, Lemelson-MIT Prize, Othmer Gold Medal, Dickson Prize in Science, Charles Stark Draper Prize, Golden Plate Award, Harvey Prize, Dan David Prize, Albany Medical Center Prize, Max Planck Research Award, Prince of Asturias Award, Millennium Technology Prize, Economist's Innovation Award, Warren Alpert Foundation Prize, Perkin Medal, Wilhelm Exner Medal, Priestley Medal, IEEE Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technology, Biotechnology Heritage Award, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, Kyoto Prize, Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Scheele Award, Kazemi Prize, Hoover Medal, European Inventor Award, Benjamin Franklin Medal, Kabiller Prize, Named 1# Translational Researcher in the World by Nature Biotechnology (2017, 2018), Leadership Award for Historic Scientific Advancement, Inducted into Advanced Materials Hall of Fame, Hope Funds for Cancer Award, National Library of Medicine Distinguished Medical Science Award, Dreyfus Prize, Maurice Marie–Janot Award, Medalha da Ciência, Foreign Associate, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Biomaterials Global Impact Award, Falch Lecture Prize, John P. Merrill Award, BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award, Balzan Prize, Cornell Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, Genome Valley Excellence Award, Hamilton Medal, Paul Janssen Award.

He is involved in the founding of many companies, including more than twenty in partnership with Polaris Partners.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of Patient Innovation and the Xconomists.

He holds honorary degrees from 41 universities worldwide, including Harvard, Yale, and Columbia University.

Robert Langer : FAQs

What is Robert Langer's net worth?

As of 2023, Robert Langer's net worth was $1.60 billion.

What are Robert Langer's main sources of wealth?

Robert Langer's main source of income comes from Biotech.

In which industry does Robert Langer primarily operate?

Robert Langer is primarily involved in the Healthcare industry.

What is Robert Langer educational background?

Robert Langer holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Cornell University and a Doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

How old is Robert Langer?

Robert Langer is 77 years old.

How many children does Robert Langer have?

Robert Langer has 3 children.

Who is Robert Samuel Langer Jr. and what fields does he contribute to?

Robert Samuel Langer Jr. is an American biotechnologist, businessman, chemical engineer, chemist, and inventor known for his significant contributions across several scientific disciplines, including biotechnology and chemical engineering.

How many patents does Robert Langer hold and what is his impact on research?

Robert Langer holds over 1,400 granted or pending patents and is one of the world's most highly cited researchers with an h-index of 320 and over 413,000 citations, highlighting his massive impact on scientific research.

What are some of Robert Langer's key contributions to medicine and biotechnology?

Robert Langer's contributions include pioneering controlled release systems, isolating the first angiogenesis inhibitor, developing drug delivery systems for brain cancer, inventing microneedle tattoo patches for medical information, and pioneering tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.

What awards and honors has Robert Langer received for his scientific contributions?

Robert Langer has received numerous awards, including the U.S. National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and has been elected to all three American science academies at the youngest age of 43, among over 220 major awards.

How has Robert Langer's entrepreneurship impacted the biotechnology sector?

Robert Langer has significantly impacted the biotech sector by co-founding over 40 companies, including Moderna, and being involved in numerous business ventures, contributing to advancements in healthcare and biotechnology.