2006 rank: 39
Age: 50
Aggressive streamlining and shrewd deals have delivered stellar results at Cox's $10.5 billion division, which accounts for 80% of Schering-Plough's total sales; revenues at her division are up more than 13%, and operating income has nearly tripled over the past year. Some credit goes to a $1.9 billion joint venture with Merck to market cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia. The companies are also developing an allergy pill.
