Krystal Biotech’s rise from a $50 million startup to a $4.4 billion biotech powerhouse has been anything but conventional.
Chairman and CEO Suma Krishnan sat down with ForbesWomen editor Maggie McGrath to reflect on the company’s rapid ascent and the principles that kept her grounded throughout the journey.
Krishnan explained that focus, discipline, and responsibility to investors were key to sustaining growth.
“I’m like a dog with a bone,” she explained, noting that once she knew she had a promising product, she was determined to see it through to the finish line.
Unlike many companies that expand quickly after securing funding, Krishnan resisted the temptation of big offices or lavish spending.
Even as Krystal Biotech reached multi-billion-dollar status, the team remained in its original small office space.
“We don’t spend money on stuff that doesn’t have value,” she said.
Much of the company’s success came from Krishnan’s hands-on approach. Drawing from her industry experience, she wrote investigational documents and clinical protocols herself while also training her team.
Rather than seeking only seasoned professionals, she welcomed young scientists without prior biotech experience, mentoring them into capable contributors.
Her leadership philosophy highlights how discipline and resourcefulness can fuel long-term success in biotech—an industry where breakthrough treatments often require years of patient focus and resilience.
