CTO - Varnotech Biopharm Ltd. - China
(2022-08 - 2024-12)
- Set up the new vaccine R&D strategy for the company, initiate new vaccine projects (RSV, hMPV, VLP, HER2) and coordinate among different departments. RSV vaccine will file IND this year.
- Lead PM Dept., Gene engineer Dept., Fermentation technology Dept., Purification technology Dept., Formulation technology Dept., coordinate among all Depts to work on the new vaccine and adjuvant research and development, and further enrich and expand company’s vaccine pipelines.
- Review preclinical modules related to product licensure （NMPA) and support BD in the identification and completion of due diligence activities and validation of potential vaccine asset.
- Help the fund-raising activities.
Executive Director - Clover Biopharmaceuticals - China
(2021-10 - 2022-08)
- Lead both molecular biology and virology groups, working on the vaccine design, antigen identification and expression, adjuvant and vector development. Initiate new vaccine projects (RSV, hMPV, VZV).
- Work closely with project manager, translational R&D, protein chemistry, drug discovery teams and toxicologist to enrich and expand Clover’s vaccine pipelines.
- Help functional head to review preclinical modules related to worldwide product licensure （NMPA, EMA, WHO) and support BD in the identification and completion of due diligence activities and validation of potential vaccine asset.
Associate Director - GHDDI - China
(2018-12 - 2021-09)
- Set up the drug discovery strategy, initiate new drug discovery projects and coordinate among different departments.
- Initiate HTS assays to develop next generation of vaccine adjuvants for SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis to boost host immunity.
- Focused on discovery of HBV Inhibitors to restore host immune response for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection.
- Initiate and set up a variety of HTS assays to develop both small molecule and antibody drugs against SARS-CoV-2. One small molecule “GDI-4405” (SARS-CoV-2 3CL inhibitor) (as project leader) has been recently licensed out to Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Limited (3692.HK, "Hansoh Pharma") for a total 1.68 billion CNY.
- Serve as GHDDI IACUC head and be in charge of animal facility.
- Built external collaborations with academic institutes, universities and CROs.
Vice President - PTM Biolabs Inc. - China
(2018-01 - 2018-11)
- Set up the neoantigen vaccine discovery strategy, initiate new vaccine discovery projects and coordinate among different department.
- Focused on discovery of therapeutic neoantigen vaccines that could treat cancer patients with somatic mutations.
- Built external collaborations with academic institutes, universities and CROs.
Associate Director, HBV Research and Drug Discovery, TSU Infectious Disease & AP R&D - Sanofi - China
(2015-04 - 2017-06)
- Set up the drug discovery strategy in China, initiate new drug discovery projects and coordinate among different departments.
- Focused on discovery of HBV Inhibitors which interfere with HBV cccDNA transcription and restore host immune response for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection.
- Built external collaborations with academic institutes, universities and CROs in China, Asia Pacific and Europe.
- Finished HTS screening for HBV Inhibitors which interfere with HBV cccDNA transcription and restore host immune response and obtained several potential candidates with novel MOA for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection.
- Initiated several projects targeting HBV chronic infections and helped the Sanofi HBV Strategy white paper.
- Being the one of the few employees in the entire Sanofi AP team (~300 employees) who won Golden Award of Sanofi AP R&D Hub 2015 Science Awards.
Principal Scientist of Clinical Virology - Janssen China R&D, Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd. - Shanghai, China
(2013-08 - 2015-03)
- Focused on discovery of HBV Inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection
- Established internal in vitro HBV assay platform for drug discovery and built external collaborations with academic institutes, universities and CROs in China, and Asia Pacific.
- In charge of Janssen China R&D BSL-2 biology laboratory for infectious disease, including biosafety and operational procedures/SOP setup, and research team buildup.
- Established HBV infection animal model using humanized FRGC mouse.
- Established Chinese clinical isolate bank and finished drug profile of HBV drug candidate using this bank.
- Maintained and kept Janssen China R&D BSL-2 biology laboratory in an excellent condition.
Senior Scientist - Etubics Corporation - Seattle, USA
(2007-06 - 2013-05)
- Set up the drug discovery strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases and cancers.
- Oversee Etubics immunogenicity assessment program for all vaccine product development.
- Design immunogenicity and efficacy assessment strategy and implement assays for detection and characterization of antiviral and anti-tumor responses induced by vaccine products.
- Manage all bioanalytical activities (toxicity, immunogenicity, potency) for the project collaborating with the outside clinical collaborator (Duke University).
- Finished preclinical immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy evaluation for two antiviral vaccines (HIV, H1N1) and four anti-tumor vaccines (colorectal cancer, breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer).
- My research results on the development of novel vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases, and my contribution to the grant writing led to around 8 million dollars of grants (SBIR) awarded to Etubics from year 2008 to 2012.
- As an independent Principal Investigator (from year 2009 to 2012), I was awarded a NIAID grant (Project Number：1R03AI078777-01, and 5R03AI078777-02）to develop a novel SIV vaccine for the treatment of SIV infections in rhesus macaques.
- My excellent research work has helped the completion of Phase I/II clinical trials for company’s colorectal cancer immunotherapeutic product “ETBX-011” with great success.
- My research work also resulted in nine significant publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- I established in vivo mouse models for evaluation of vaccine and treatment of a variety of cancers ((colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) for the company.
Senior Fellow - University of Washington - Seattle, USA
(2003-06 - 2007-04)
- Design viral infection, viral neutralization assay to evaluate the cell tropism of HIV-1 and implement assays for characterization of viral tropism.
- In charge of BSL-3 biology laboratory for infectious disease, including biosafety and operational procedures/SOP setup, and training of new employee.
- I established a novel panel of macrophage-derived HIV-1 for studying neuroAIDS, which created a new research direction to the Lab. My research results and my participation in grant writing led to around $429,000 dollars of grants (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Project Number ：1R21NS060641-01A1, and 5R21NS060641-02) awarded to the Lab from year 2007 to 2010.
- My excellent research work has resulted in three significant publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- I established a new method to isolate macrophage-derived HIV-1 strains from monocyte/macrophage and to analyze their cell tropism.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - Seattle, USA
(2001-04 - 2003-05)
- I have studied mechanisms of HIV viral control among Exposed seronegative (ES) cohort (homosexual men) and other cohorts (primary HIV infection) from HVTN at multiple sites.
- I established a new method to analyze the correlation of TCR usage with CTL immune response among ES cohort.
- My excellent research work has resulted in one significant publication in peer-reviewed journal.
- My excellent research work has resulted in three significant publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Researcher Scientist - Kyoto University, Institute for Virus Research, Dept. of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan
(1993-10 - 1997-08)
- I studied the mechanism of HIV-1 entry and developed the peptide inhibitor for HIV-1 entry (T22, T140 and gp41-derived peptides).
- My research results led to grants (from Japanese Government) awarded to the Lab from year 1993 to 2001.
- My excellent research work has resulted in ten significant publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- I have supervised new PHD students and technicians in the Lab
Researcher/Instructor - Institute for Virus Research, Hubei Center for Disease Control - China
(1985-09 - 1993-06)
- I have developed monoclonal antibodies against Influenza, HBV, HCMV viruses, and bladder cancer, and investigated the epidemiology of HBV and HCMV in Hubei Province.
- I have developed a diagnostic kit for the detection of HBV which was widely used in local Hospitals and CDCs to detect HBV viral infection among local populations.
- My research on the development of monoclonal antibodies against bladder cancer was granted “Third Class Award for Advance in Science and Technology” by the Chinese Ministry of Public Health.
- My excellent research work has resulted in four significant publications in peer-reviewed journals (Chinese).
