Universal Media Publication

CEO Today
Online

Audience

Martin Shkreli: From Pharma Star to Prison Cell

25th Apr 2025
Martin Shkreli: From Pharma Star to Prison Cell Martin Shkreli is one of the most controversial figures in modern corporate history—a former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive who rose to infamy not for medical breakthroughs, but for skyrocketing the price of a life-saving drug and ending up behind bars. His story is a rollercoaster of ambition, arrogance, and ultimately, accountability. The Rise: Who Is Martin Shkreli? Born in Brooklyn in 1983 to Albanian and Croatian immigrants, Martin Shkreli showed an early interest in biotech and finance. He dropped out of Baruch College but quickly made waves in Wall Street circles by founding hedge funds like Elea Capital, MSMB Capital, and later, Turing Pharmaceuticals. The Controversy: The Drug Price Scandal Shkreli’s name exploded into public consciousness in 2015 when his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, acquired the rights to Daraprim, a drug used to treat parasitic infections in AIDS patients—and hiked the price from $13.50 to $750 per pill overnight. The backlash was swift and brutal. He was dubbed “The Most Hated Man in America”, and earned the nickname “Pharma Bro” for his smug, unapologetic demeanor in the media and online. Related: 13 Notable CEOs Who Found Themselves in Prison Related: Bernie Madoff: The Man Behind the Largest Ponzi Scheme in History The Fall: Arrest and Convictions In 2015, Shkreli was arrested on unrelated securities fraud charges, stemming from his time running MSMB Capital and Retrophin, a biotech firm he allegedly looted to pay back angry investors. In 2017, he was convicted on three counts of securities fraud and conspiracy, though not related to the drug pricing scandal. He was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $7.36 million in assets. Life After Prison Shkreli was released in 2022, finishing his sentence in a halfway house. Despite being banned from the pharmaceutical industry for life, he continues to stir controversy online, trying to remain relevant through podcasts, crypto, and social media. Conclusion Martin Shkreli’s story is a cautionary tale of greed, ego, and the limits of capitalism. Once a rising star in biotech, he became a symbol of everything wrong with Big Pharma. Now, stripped of power and status, he remains infamous—a living reminder that some lines, even in business, shouldn’t be crossed.

CEO Today shines a spotlight on the world’s most innovative leaders, delivering exclusive insights into the strategies and successes shaping global industries. Our audience is made up of top-tier executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who rely on us for compelling stories and actionable insights.


Advertise on CEO Today

Latest content from CEO Today

Martin Shkreli: From Pharma Star to Prison Cell

Lens Technology: The Hidden Power Behind Your Screen

From Factory Girl to Billionaire Queen: The Rise of Zhou Qunfei

Brian Moynihan: The Titan Steering Bank of America’s Billions

Bernie Madoff: The Man Behind the Largest Ponzi Scheme in History

Crafting the Perfect Business Proposal: A CEO’s Guide

Kenneth Lay: The Fall of Enron’s Charismatic Founder

CEO Today Audience

Gender (%)

  • Female38
  • Male62

Categories (%)

  • Entertainment Enthusiasts18.95
  • Avid Investors17.65
  • Business News Enthusiasts15.69
  • Travel Buffs13.07
  • Technophiles12.42
  • Shopping Enthusiasts11.11
  • Political News Enthusiasts11.11

Age (%)

  • 55-6424.24
  • 45-5421.83
  • 35-4417.44
  • 25-3414.78
  • 65+13.81
  • 18-247.90

Reach

221k
Monthly unique visitors
300k
Monthly page views
255k
Monthly Visits
181k
Organic Traffic
66k
Direct Traffic

Average Time Spent Per Visit: 2 minutes

Earning Potential per Group

55-64 years 
24.24%
$80,000 – $150,000+

Senior professionals, executives, and retirees with substantial wealth and investments.
45-54 years
21.83%
$70,000 – $130,000+

Mid-to-late career professionals often at their peak earning potential.
35-44 years
17.44%
$60,000 – $110,000

Mid-career professionals advancing into leadership roles.
25-34 years
14.78%
$40,000 – $80,000

Early-career professionals or entrepreneurs building their careers.
65+ Years
13.81%
$60,000 – $120,000

Retirees or late-career individuals with varying wealth levels.
18-24 years
7.90%
$20,000 – $50,000

Students, interns, or entry-level professionals with nascent earning potential.
Universal Media is a long established business to business publishing house. Two of its three main titles have been published since 2009. Universal Media’s publications are designed to provide insight, opinion and analysis to a core audience made up of the corporate, financial and legal sectors.