Alfred Mann

AGE: 72

HOME: Beverly Hills

PROFESSION: Biomedical entrepreneur and founder of Sylmar-based MiniMed Inc., Advanced Bionics and Medical Research Group. Philanthropist.

LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Mann, who made millions selling pacemakers and insulin pumps, became one of the nation’s biggest donors to higher education in February when he announced a $100-million gift to USC for biomedical research and his intention to give another $100 million to UCLA. Also benefiting from Mann’s largess is Cal State Northridge, where he is funding an $80-million, 28-acre biotech research park. The complex is expected to generate $800,000 a year in lease payments to the university.

GOALS FOR 1999: Mann expects to break ground on the four research buildings and a conference center by the end of January and hopes to be near completion of the CSUN project by the end of the year. His companies are also developing a new generation of cochlear implants, a “continuous glucose sensor” and an artificial pancreas.