Dr. Michelle XIA, the key founder of Akeso, Inc., has been the chairwoman, president and CEO of the Company since its inception on March 19, 2012. In these roles, Dr. XIA has been mainly responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of the Company.

Dr. XIA has over 27 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and academic research. Prior to founding our Group, Dr. XIA held senior leadership roles at Crown Bioscience Inc., where she played a decisive role in constructing Crown Bioscience’s platform, building its team, setting and implementing its strategies, and forging its joint venture with Pfizer (the Pfizer-Crown Asian Cancer Research Centre). From July 2006 to March 2008, Dr. XIA served as a senior scientist and group leader at PDL BioPharma, Inc. (later acquired by AbbVie). From January 2006 to June 2006, Dr. XIA served as a senior process development scientist at Bayer Corporation in the U.S.. At both PDL BioPharma and Bayer, Dr. Xia oversaw CMC, process development and manufacturing of therapeutic protein and antibody drugs. Dr. XIA began her pharmaceutical career at Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later acquired by Celera Genomics), where she held both scientific and managerial roles in drug discovery programs from December 2000 to December 2005, overseeing a broad range of activities from target validation through IND-enabling studies.

Dr. XIA received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Sun Yat-sen University in the PRC in 1988. She earned her Ph.D. degree in molecular biology and microbiology from Newcastle University in the U.K. in 1994. Dr. XIA completed her postdoctoral research training at the University of Glasgow in the U.K. from 1993 to 1996, and she also conducted the cancer immune therapy research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the U.S. from 1996 to 2000.

Over the years, Dr. XIA has served important roles in numerous influential organizations, including a member of the Special Committee for Monoclonal Antibody of the China Medicinal Biotech Association, a committee member of the Special Committee for Science and Technology Innovation of China Overseas Returnee Entrepreneur Investment Association, an advisory committee member of the Chinese Antibody Society, and a director of Tongxieyi Antibody Talent Club. Dr. XIA has also received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to both the pharmaceutical industry and commercial enterprises. Dr. XIA  has been selected into “Major National Talent Programs” for the “Recruitment Program of Global Experts” of the Organization Department, and the “Innovative Talent Promotion Program” administered by the Ministry of Science and Technology. In July 2015, Dr. XIA and her team were awarded the “Top Chinese Overseas Returnee Star-up Company” by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, and Dr. XIA was also recognized for her role as the team leader of selected innovation and entrepreneurial team winners of the “Pearl River Talents Scheme” of Guangdong Province in April 2018. In June 2018, Dr. XIA received “The Seventh National Overseas Returnee Contributions Award” . In 2020, Dr. XIA was selected into Forbes’ Powerful Women in Technology 2020.

Dr. Baiyong Li has over 20 years of experience in the academic research and bio-pharmaceutical industry. He is an expert in immunology and antibody drug discovery. Prior to founding Akeso Biopharma, he was a senior scientific leader at Pfizer, Inc. In the U.S, specializing in new drug discovery on a series of cancer immune therapy projects. He has led or participated in multiple projects on discovery, pre-clinical and clinical studies of new antibody drugs. In 2010, Dr. Li was appointed as the head of Pfizer-Crown drug discovery group and led various new drug research and development projects in China, as well as the formation of the Pfizer–Crown Asian Cancer Research Center.

Dr. Li obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nankai University and his Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from the Pennsylvania State University in the U.S. He then conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr. Max Wang has over 20 years of experience in the academic research and bio-pharmaceutical industry. He is an expert in protein expression, purification and x-ray crystallography. Prior to founding Akeso Biopharma, he held important roles such as the senior scientist or executive consultant in various American biopharmaceutical companies, such as New Century Pharmaceuticals, Trimeris and Ardea Biosciences (acquired by AstraZeneca), responsible for structure-based drug design, antibody engineering and mass production of protein therapeutic drugs.

Dr. Wang obtained his bachelor’s degree in physics from University of Science and Technology of China, he subsequently pursued his master’s degree in physics at Northeastern University in the U.S. and his Ph.D. in structural & computational biology and molecular biophysics from Baylor College of Medicine, US.

Dr. Peng Zhang has approximately 19 years of experience in the therapeutic biologics industry, he is an expert in antibody biochemistry and analytical science. Dr. Zhang was a scientific leader at PDL Biopharma (now AbbVie), responsible for development of various antibody analytical methods, technology transformation and antibody analysis and identification, as well as FDA filings and data preparation. After returning to China in 2008, he joined Crown Bioscience as senior director of the protein sciences department, he led the group to successfully deliver more than 100 antibody reagent provision service projects to domestic and overseas pharmaceutical companies.

Dr. Zhang obtained his bachelor’s and master’s Degree in chemistry from Shandong University and his Ph.D. in biological chemistry from the University of Kentucky in the U.S.

Dr. Dennis Xia has over 20 years of management experience in international pharmaceutical companies, he excels in pharmaceutical product development, cGMP regulations and quality management system, and regulatory affairs. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma, Dr. Xia served as associate director, product development in Apotex, Inc., the largest pharmaceutical company in Canada, and as the global quality director at Albany Molecular Research Inc. He led or participated in FDA approval for more than 30 drugs in the U.S. and has also led the development of the first generic Lipitor drug to be approved in a number of countries.

Dr. Xia obtained his bachelor’s degree in applied chemistry from Peking University and later obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wales in the UK.

Mr. Michael Xi has over 15 years of financial industry experience in the U.S. and China, including investment banking and private equity investment with many public and private companies. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma, he was a director at SIN Capital (HK) Limited, focusing on investments in healthcare industry in China, and was an investment banker at Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and CLSA securities executing high profile transactions, including IPOs, debt and equity financings and M&As for leading companies in China.

Mr. Xi obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Wuhan University, his Master of Science degree in biochemistry and computer science from Rutgers University in the US and MBA degree with distinction from Stern School of Business at New York University in the U.S.

Mr. Wenjun Shi has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales operation. He has rich experience in marketing, medical, government affairs, and business development. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma, he served as Vice President of Chia Tai Tianqing and Head of the Third Division, Head of the North Division of the Integrated Product Line, and other core positions in Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group. Mr. Shi has successfully led the successful commercialization and rapid growth of many products, including anlotinib, which has become a classic case in China's pharmaceutical market.

Mr. Shi obtained his EMBA degree from Xiamen University.

Dr. Mingxiu Hu is responsible for data science, clinical regulatory affairs, and clinical development strategy at Akeso Biopharma.

Dr. Hu brings to Akeso more than 20 years of global drug development experience with an excellent track record of successfully developing biologics globally. Prior to joining Akeso, Dr Hu held roles including Senior Vice President at Nektar Therapeutics, Vice President at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and Director at Pfizer. Dr. Hu is currently an Adjunct Professor of Biostatistics at Yale University, and a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA). He served on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Fellow Committee for ASA, as well as the Board of Directors for International Chinese Statistical Association. During his 12.5 years at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, he led his team and played a leading role in the launch of several products globally, including Entryvio^® with an annual sale of over $4 billion and Ninelaro^® with an annual sale of more than $1 billion.

Dr. Hu received his M.S. degree in Statistics from Peking University, M.S. degree in Biology from Brown University, and Ph.D. degree in Biostatistics from George Washington University. His research interest focuses on statistical methodologies and applications in drug development, including innovative clinical trial designs, efficient analysis methodologies, drug development decision theory, precision medicine, and biomarker enrichment strategies. He has published over 20 scientific articles, edited one book, and co-authored another.

Dr. Wei Liu has dedicated himself to biopharmaceutical industry and has almost 25 years of experience and a deep expertise in various stages of clinical development, clinical operation and pharmacovigilance. Prior to joining Akeso, Dr. Liu has served in companies with various scales encompassing world-leading international pharma including Aventis, AstraZeneca, CRO and top Chinese innovative biotechs.  He has a solid track record in developing drugs from IND application to market approvals, and has successfully leading China team to deliver in three global pivotal studies and a number of international multi-center studies, He also led many IND application/approval, implementation of pivotal studies, documents composing for NDA/BLA submission as well as corresponding inspection preparation in areas of oncology, anti-infectious, metabolic and auto-immune diseases.

Dr. Liu received his MD degree from Peking Union Medical College through an eight-year curriculum and numerous professional training in clinical development, clinical operation, pharmacovigilance and team management through his career life.

Dr. Min has over 20 years of experience in biologics drug discovery and development in global top biopharmaceutical companies. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma in 2022, Dr. Min worked in Pfizer, Abbott and Abbvie in leading target validation,  antibody drug discovery, candidate selection and advancement in therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology, immunology, virology, and neuroscience. She has demonstrated innovation and outstanding strategic thinking in developing efficacy and safety differentiation strategies for biologics programs and the leadership in cross-functional teams from early discovery through clinical development.

Dr. Min received her bachelor degree in Chemistry and master degree in Analytical Chemistry from Peking University. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wayne State University. She trained as a postdoctoral fellow at University of Chicago School of Medicine and Pfizer.