Allen Chao is a Chinese-American businessman who founded Watson Pharmaceuticals and served as Chief Executive Officer from 1984 to 2008 and Chairman. Born in Shanghai, he spent his childhood in Taiwan. After emigrating to the United States, Chao received a Ph.D. in industrial pharmaceuticals from Purdue University in 1973. Chao, along with other members of the Chao family, contributed to the establishment of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and the H.H.