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BOBAK “BOBBY” AZAMIAN
CEO/CHAIRMAN / CO-FOUNDER
TARSUS PHARMACEUTICALS
WHY: Spearheaded the development and commercialization of Xdemvy, the first FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids caused by mites. Raised $101M in IPO in 2020; company so successful that it was able to raise another $125M in March in upsized offering.
IN THE NEWS: Since Xdemvy’s approval, the Irvine-based company’s market cap has jumped to $1.9B—up from $531M in fall 2023. Sales are booming. Net product sales generated $78.3M in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 217% from the prior period last year with the company dispensing 72K bottles to patients. Xdemvy contains lotilaner, which Tarsus is leveraging as a “pipeline in a product” to address other conditions, including meibomian gland disease (MGD), rosacea and Lyme disease. Launched first national direct-to-consumer ad campaign for Xdemvy in late 2024, which is credited for driving 140% increase in the average weekly website visits in March 2025 compared to December 2024.
NOTABLE: Named Business Journal Businessperson of the Year in January in the healthcare sector. The company plans to expand its presence in OC by doubling its Irvine HQ space to 60K sq. ft. when it relocates to Spectrum Terrace in 2026.
IN HIS WORDS: “We’ve been successful because we’ve been able to find the ‘white space’ in healthcare—we identified an area of significant unmet need and worked across channels to prepare and educate the market, understand the patient experience and demonstrate value, and drive awareness and interest in our company and brand.”