Early Life and Education
Randal J. Kirk was born on March 1, 1954, in Pleasanton, California. His family moved to Texas and later settled in Virginia. He graduated from Pulaski High School. Kirk began his higher education by selling cars and motorcycles while attending Radford University part-time. He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Radford University in 1976 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia in 1979.
Rise to Success
After being admitted to the bar in 1980, Kirk started a law practice in Bland, Virginia. In 1983, he co-founded General Injectables and Vaccines, which was later sold. He founded New River Pharmaceuticals in 1996, and the company went public in 2004. The sale of New River Pharmaceuticals to Shire in 2007 for $2.6 billion was a major achievement, with Kirk earning over $1 billion from the deal. In 1999, he established Third Security, LLC, a life sciences investment firm. Kirk was the chairman and CEO of Intrexon, a biotechnology company, until 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Kirk is known for investing in small companies and staying with them until their products reach the market. He bet big on a few small companies and remained involved until products were ready for market. His investments often involved innovative products, such as genetically modified salmon and apples that resist browning.
Philanthropy
Kirk has made various philanthropic contributions. Following the sale of General Injectables and Vaccines, he donated $1 million to Radford University, creating the Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Endowment. He has also served on the boards of the Radford University Foundation and the University of Virginia. Kirk has also donated substantially to political causes.