Fred Eshelman, also known as Fredric N. Eshelman, is a billionaire pharmaceutical executive, entrepreneur, and founder of Eshelman Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on life sciences. He established Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) LLC, a global contract research organization that employed over 10,000 professionals across 33 countries before being acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2021 for $17.4 billion. His career includes senior roles such as senior vice president of development and board member at the former Glaxo, Inc., as well as management positions at Beecham Laboratories and Boehringer Mannheim Pharmaceuticals. He has served as CEO of Innocrin Pharmaceuticals Inc. since March 2017. Eshelman is actively involved in North Carolina's academic and biotech sectors, serving on the executive committee of the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, the board of trustees for UNC Wilmington, and appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011 to the Board of Governors for the state's university system and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. A prominent philanthropist and political donor, he is known for substantial contributions to Republican candidates and conservative causes, as well as conservation efforts. Through his company Iron Bar Holdings, he acquired Elk Mountain in Wyoming, reflecting his interests in land conservation. His wealth stems from successful exits in the pharmaceutical sector, enabling large-scale donations and investments. Eshelman maintains strong ties to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater, where he is celebrated as a key alumnus supporting health care innovation. His influence spans pharmaceutical innovation, political funding, and regional development in the American South and beyond.