Dr. XIA has over 26 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and academic research. Prior to founding our Group, Dr. XIA held senior leadership roles (including senior vice president) from April 2008 to March 2012 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  Dr. XIA received her B.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 cancer immune therapy research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the U.S from 1996 to2000. Dr. XIA has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. XIA is also the grantee of 16 issued patents and pending patent applications.

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. Jason Ni has over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has rich experience and deep expertise in various aspects, including clinical development, pharmacovigilance and clinical quality. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma, he worked in leading international pharmaceutical giants, including AstraZeneca, and several innovative biotechnology companies. He has successfully facilitated the approval of four global new drug applications (NDA) and clinical trial applications of various investigational new drugs (IND). He also has directly interacted with international regulatory institutions including FDA, EMA and various international advisory committees.

Dr. Ni obtained a medical degree from the School of Medicine at Southeast University in China, and a doctorate of medicine from the School of Medicine of Temple University.

Dr. Michael Chen has over 10 years of experience in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in business development. Prior to joining Akeso Biopharma, he worked at Merck KGaA, Spirogen (acquired by Astrazeneca), Wuxi Biologics, ChemPartner and other well-known pharmaceutical companies. He was responsible for international business development, driving commercial cooperation for different types of projects through open innovation, licensing, co-development, investment, and other collaboration models.

Dr. Chen obtained his bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology from the University of Essex in the UK, a master’s degree in cancer immunotherapy from the University of Nottingham in the UK and a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry from Imperial College London in the UK. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University College London in the UK.