About Us

Our Leadership

Ge Li, Ph.D.
Chairman and CEO
Scientist and entrepreneur leading WuXi AppTec since its founding in 2000. Dr. Li pioneered an integrated, open-access R&D enabling platform model to support innovators around the world to discover, develop and commercialize new medicines and healthcare products for patients. Under Dr. Li’s direction, WuXi AppTec has grown into a leading global company, providing comprehensive research, development, manufacturing, clinical research and testing services in small molecule drugs, cell and gene therapies, and emerging new modalities. Through its unique CRDMO and CTDMO business models, WuXi AppTec is enabling innovative partners globally. Dr. Li earned his doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Columbia University.
Minzhang Chen, Ph.D.
Co-CEO
Over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Played important roles in R&D and commercialization of multiple innovative drugs for global launches. Awarded by The Medicine Maker's 2019 & 2020 Power List as one of the global top inspirational medicine makers driving the industry forward. Formerly Director of Technical Operations at Vertex. B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.
Edward Hu
Vice Chairman, Global Chief Investment Officer, CEO of WuXi ATU
Vice Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer at WuXi AppTec. Joined WuXi AppTec since August 2007, Mr. Hu has demonstrated his extraordinary leadership to expand WuXi AppTec's business globally. He is a strong business leader with broad experiences in operations management, new business creation and development, venture investments, merger and acquisitions and financial management. Prior to WuXi AppTec, Mr. Hu served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Tanox. His earlier career spanned managerial and financial positions at Biogen and Merck respectively. Mr. Hu has an MBA and Master's degree in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University.
Steve Yang, Ph.D.
Co-CEO
A pharmaceutical industry leader recognized for building R&D and service capabilities, delivering research and early development portfolios of drug candidates, and establishing R&D partnerships in US, Europe, China and other Asian and emerging markets. Before joining WuXi, Dr. Yang was Vice President and Head of Asia and Emerging Markets iMed at AstraZeneca, and served as Vice President and Head of Asia R&D at Pfizer and as Executive Director and head of Pfizer's global R&D strategic management group. Dr. Yang received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of California, San Francisco.
Zhaohui Zhang
China Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President
One of our co-founders, entrepreneur, formerly Senior Vice President of WuXi AppTec, Vice President of Domestic Marketing of WuXi AppTec. EMBA from China Europe International Business School.
Shuhui Chen, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Head of DDSU
Over 29 years' experience in medicinal chemistry, formerly Research Advisor at Eli Lilly, Vion Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Yale University.
Florence Shi
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Over 20 years of rich professional knowledge and management experience in the fields of finance, business development and operations. Most recently worked at General Electric as the Managing Director of Business Development and CFO of GE China. Bachelor degree in International Finance from Shanghai University.
Howard Wu, J.D.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel,Global Head of Human Resources,Deputy Director of WuXi AppTec Management Institute
Over 20 years of rich experience in the fields of legal, compliance management and cross region management in the related areas. Before joining WuXi AppTec, Dr. Wu was General Manager of Legal Department for the China region at Sinar Mas Group – Asia Pulp & Paper, and served as Chief Compliance Counsel for GE Healthcare Greater China region, General Counsel for Momentive Performance Material Asia Pacific region and a practicing lawyer in the US. Dr. Wu received Juris Doctor degree from School of Law of University of the District of Columbia.
Jingchao Dong, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of RCS
One of the founding scientists of the company. Formerly Vice President of International Discovery Service Unit, responsible for the management of Shanghai, Wuhan and Tianjin site. Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from Peking University.
Jinling Chen, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of STA DP Business
Over 20 years' experience in drug delivery technologies, formulation, drug product process development and manufacturing, CMC regulatory submission. Formerly worked at Zeneca, BSM, Lexicon. Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Monash University in Australia.
Ke Chen, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of WuXi Chemistry-STA API Late Phase Development and Technical Operations-Commercial
Over 10 years' industry experience with proven track record in Organic Chemistry, small molecule API process R&D and Manufacturing, process technology transfer as well as pharmaceutical CMC development. Formerly Principal Scientist of Process Chemistry at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Rochester.
Richard Connell, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, US/EU Chief Operating Officer
Over 27 years of experience in the biotech and drug discovery sector, most recently as Vice President of External Research Solutions at Pfizer. Managed a global network of Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Biotech, technology and academic partnerships. Held multiple management positions in the U.S., UK, Germany and China while at Pfizer and Bayer. Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Notre Dame.
Xiaoyong Fu, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of STA API Business
Over 30 years' experience in Organic Chemistry, small molecule API process R&D and Manufacturing, Process technology transfer as well as overall CMC. Formerly Sr. Fellow of Process Chemistry at Schering-Plough/MSD. Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Tao Guo, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of RCS BD&IPM
Over 20 years’ experience in drug discovery, recipient of over 40 US issued patents and inventor of one FDA approved drug. Formerly Director of Chemistry at Pharmacopeia and Senior Research Scientist at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals. Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Columbia University.
Yu Lu
Senior Vice President, Head of STA Business Operations and TIDES Business
20 years’ industry experience with a proven track record in pharmaceutical CMC development, business development and marketing, new business creation as well as operations management. Previously worked at Merck and Vertex. Held a Master’s degree in chemistry from Duke University and MBA degree from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
Youchu Wang, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Head of STA API Early Phase Development
Over 20 years of experience in synthetic organic chemistry and small molecule process development. Formerly Sr. Scientist of Process Chemistry at Wyeth. Ph.D.in Organic Chemistry from Chinese Academy of Science followed by Postdoctoral Research at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
Feng Zhang
Senior Vice President, Head of STA API Manufacturing
Over 20 years of experience in API manufacturing. Responsible for the build-up and operations of STA Jinshan, Changzhou, Taixing and Changshu manufacturing sites. Graduated from Shanghai Medical University in pharmaceutical and EMBA degree from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.