Younong Xu

CTO

Talent

OlympiaMember since October 6, 2026

strategic planningbudgetingproject managementteam buildupcollaboration with academic institutes, universities and CROs in China and abroaassay designdevelopment (including reagent labeling)qualificationtransfervalidationimmunoassaycell-based assayFACS assaysreceptor binding assaystatistical design of assay optimization experiments and data analysisdeveloping therapeutic Cancer Vaccines (colon cancer, breast cancer, head and neELISpotGenescanCTL epitope mappingCTL 51Cr release assayMHC-restriction typingall stage of CTL clone generationall stages of monoclonal antibody generation for HBV, Influenza, CMV, bladder cadeveloping vaccines against viruses (HIV and Influenza, including H1N1) and novevirus culturevirus isolationneutralization assayvirus characterizationcell culturecell isolation

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strategic planningbudgetingproject managementteam buildupcollaboration with academic institutes, universities and CROs in China and abroa

About

A self-motivated and enthusiastic scientist with scientific background in new drug development for a variety of cancers (therapeutic vaccine for colon cancer, breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer) and infectious diseases (HBV, HIV, RSV, hMPV, Flu, VZV, and SARS-CoV-2) in multiple international pharmaceutical/biotech companies for more than 15 years. In charge of multiple projects and have moved the new drugs into clinical trials.

Experience in evaluating efficacy of new drugs (small/large molecules) both in vitro and in vivo using molecular, cellular and animal models in compliance with US GLP/GCP/GMP regulations. Extensive experience with new drug discovery project initiation and development process. Familiar with the coordination among different departments (drug discovery, PK/PD and Toxicity) to facilitate the progression of drug development smoothly.

Experience in writing NIH grants and reports to file IND for FDA.

Experience in building and developing teams to achieve goals.

Experience in establishing internal assay platform for drug discovery and building external collaborations with academic institutes, universities and CROs.

Experience in generating monoclonal antibodies against viruses and cancer. Capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously. Excellent interpersonal skills. Good team worker. Fluent in multi-languages.

Experience

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 - Sanofi - China

(2015-04 - 2017-06)

HBV Research and Drug Discovery; TSU Infectious Disease & AP R&D

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 tr

Principal Scientist of Clinical Virology - Janssen China R&D, Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd. - Shanghai, China

(2013-08 - 2015-03)

Senior Scientist - Etubics Corporation - Seattle, USA

(2007-06 - 2013-05)

Senior Fellow - University of Washington - Seattle, USA

(2003-06 - 2007-05)