Forbes highlighted Suma Krishnan, a 60-year-old drug developer who co-founded Krystal Biotech, now valued at $4.4 billion, to treat epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare condition known as “butterfly skin disease” due to its fragile skin symptoms. Her innovative topical gene therapy has transformed lives and positioned Krystal as a biotech leader.
In her late 40s, Krishnan envisioned a topical gene therapy for EB, a disorder affecting 1 in 20,000 births, causing severe blistering and wounds. With her husband, Krish Krishnan, she co-founded Krystal Biotech in 2016, patenting the idea after months of modelling. Their lead product, Vyjuvek, approved by the FDA in 2023, generated $150 million in 2024 sales, per Bloomberg, driving Krystal’s market cap to $4.4 billion.
How A 60-Year-Old Drug Developer Built A $4.4 Billion Biotech Treating ‘Butterfly Skin Disease’ https://t.co/F924ACA3z3 https://t.co/TetXgntzaP
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 24, 2025Krishnan, with over a decade of biotech experience alongside her husband, leveraged her expertise to develop Vyjuvek, the first topical gene therapy for EB. Her persistence, despite initial funding challenges, led to Krystal’s 2018 IPO and a 2025 stock surge of 35%, per Yahoo Finance. Her work has earned accolades, including a 2024 BIO Innovator Award, for advancing rare disease treatments.
Krystal’s success highlights the growing biotech sector, projected to reach $3.2 trillion by 2030, per Statista. Krishnan’s focus on patient-centric innovation resonates with EB communities, with X posts like “Suma’s work is life-changing!” trending. The company’s pipeline, including treatments for dystrophic EB, positions it for further growth.
Krishnan aims to expand Krystal’s therapies globally, with clinical trials planned for 2026. Patients and investors can follow updates via Krystal’s website (www.krystalbio.com). Her journey underscores the power of perseverance in biotech, inspiring a new generation of innovators to tackle rare diseases.
