# Joe Belanoff

> Joe Belanoff is the co-founder and CEO of Corcept Therapeutics, a Redwood City-based biopharmaceutical company he has led since 1999. A physician-scientist trained at Amherst College, Columbia University, and Stanford, Belanoff pivoted from academia to entrepreneurship after co-developing intellectual property on cortisol modulation with Stanford psychiatry chair Alan Schatzberg. Under his leadership, Corcept achieved two landmark FDA approvals: Korlym in 2012 for Cushing's syndrome and Lifyorli in 2026 for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer - the first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ever approved. He maintains an adjunct professorship at Stanford while steering a company with over $760 million in annual revenue and more than 30 ongoing clinical studies.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, President and CEO at Corcept Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** Corcept Therapeutics, Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor's Degree, Amherst College, MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Psychiatric Residency, Stanford University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Corcept Therapeutics in 1998 with Alan Schatzberg, commercializing cortisol modulation research, Led Corcept to FDA approval of Korlym in 2012, the first treatment specifically indicated for Cushing's syndrome patients with type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance, Led Corcept to FDA approval of Lifyorli in 2026, the first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (SGRA) ever approved

## Career timeline

- **1992** — Joined Stanford University as Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- **1997** — Became Director of Psychopharmacology at Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital outpatient division
- **1998** — Co-founded Corcept Therapeutics with Dr. Alan Schatzberg in May
- **1999** — Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Corcept Therapeutics
- **2001** — Left Palo Alto VA Hospital position to focus full-time on Corcept
- **2004** — Featured in Wall Street Transcript as CEO interview subject
- **2012** — Korlym (mifepristone) received FDA approval for Cushing's syndrome - Corcept's first approved drug
- **2014** — Appointed President of Corcept Therapeutics in addition to CEO role
- **2026** — Lifyorli (relacorilant) received FDA approval for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer - first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ever approved

## Achievements

- Co-founded Corcept Therapeutics in 1998 with Alan Schatzberg, commercializing cortisol modulation research
- Led Corcept to FDA approval of Korlym in 2012, the first treatment specifically indicated for Cushing's syndrome patients with type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance
- Led Corcept to FDA approval of Lifyorli in 2026, the first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (SGRA) ever approved
- Lifyorli clinical trial data showed 35% reduction in risk of death vs. nab-paclitaxel alone in ovarian cancer
- Built Corcept to over $760 million in annual revenue with 500+ employees
- Maintained a collaborative research model with 30+ ongoing clinical studies worldwide
- Instituted a company-wide policy requiring publication of all clinical findings, positive or negative

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — FDA approved Lifyorli (relacorilant) in combination with nab-paclitaxel for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer - the first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ever approved.
- **2025-12** — Corcept received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA for relacorilant in hypercortisolism, leading to continued development efforts.
- **2026-05** — Corcept Therapeutics reported annual revenue exceeding $760 million with 500+ employees and 30+ active clinical studies.

## Links

- Website: https://corcept.com/about/teams/joseph-belanoff/
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-belanoff-b240618
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e5YMAW5jJE

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joe-belanoff
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-16