Dr. Herriot Tabuteau is a Haitian-born entrepreneur and the founder of Axsome Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in treatments for central nervous system disorders such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and ADHD. He has recently been named a Forbes billionaire in 2025, with an estimated fortune of $1.1 billion. This achievement places him at 21st on the list of 23 Black billionaires globally, tied with Jamaican-Canadian investor Michael Lee-Chin.
Dr. Tabuteau founded Axsome Therapeutics in 2012 after a career in healthcare finance, including roles at Goldman Sachs and HealthCor. Under his leadership, Axsome went public in 2015 and has seen significant growth due to its innovative drug pipeline. Notably, the company developed AXS-05, a breakthrough therapy for Alzheimer’s agitation and major depressive disorder, which has received FDA designations and is expected to address major unmet medical needs.
A graduate of Yale University School of Medicine and Wesleyan University, Dr. Tabuteau holds around 15% of Axsome’s shares through Antecip Capital LLC, consolidating his position as one of the leading figures in neuroscience innovation. His contributions extend beyond business, as he is also credited with over 200 patents aimed at advancing neuropsychiatric treatments.