Founding Management Team
Michelle Xia,Ph.D.
Since its inception in 2012, Akeso has established the unique end-to-end Akeso Comprehensive Exploration Platform (ACE Platform). With a research and development innovation system encompassing core technologies and platforms such as Tetrabody BsAb development technology platform, ADC platform, mRNA platform and cell therapy technology, an internationally standardized GMP production system, and an advanced operational model for commercialization. Akeso has emerged as a globally competitive biopharmaceutical innovation company.
Michelle Xia,Ph.D.
Founder, Chairwoman, President and CEO
Dr. Michelle Xia is an expert in antibody drug discovery and development. Dr. Xia founded Akeso Biopahrma in 2012, which is on the way to becoming one of China’s leading biopharmaceutical companies.Prior to founding Akeso Biopharma, she held management roles at PDL Biopharma, Bayer, Crown Bioscience and other pharmaceutical companies, and conducted the cancer immune therapy research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the U.S.
Dr. XIA has been selected into “Major National Talent Programs” for the “Innovative Talent Promotion Program” administered by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC, as well as being recognized as a leading talent in the "Guangdong Special Support Program" and the team leader of selected innovation and entrepreneurial team of the “Pearl River Talents Scheme” of Guangdong Province. Dr. XIA has been honored with multiple awards and recognitions for her remarkable contributions to both the pharmaceutical industry and commercial enterprises. These accolades include the "Top Chinese Overseas Returnee Star-up Company" by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the "Seventh National Overseas Returnee Contributions Award" by the China Overseas Chinese Association. In addition, she has been recognized as one of the "Women In Tech 2020" "100 Outstanding Business Women in 2023" and “100 Power Business Women in 2024” by Forbes China. Notably, Dr. XIA has also been granted the "Advanced Individual in Technology Innovation in China" award by China Scientists Forum, the "Top 10 Drug Innovation Leaders of the Year" by the First Drug Innovation Jishi Award 2020 issued by the Securities Times, and one of the "30 Most Influential Women of the Future in Medicine 2023" by the Healthcare Executive, among other esteemed industry awards.
Dr. Xia received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Sun Yat-Sen University and her Ph.D. in molecular biology and microbiology from Newcastle University in the UK. In addition, she completed her postdoctoral research training at the University of Glasgow.
Baiyong Li Ph.D.
Baiyong Li Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Executive Vice President, CSO
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.
Max Wang Ph.D.
Max Wang Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Senior Vice President
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.
Peng Zhang Ph.D.
Peng Zhang Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Senior Vice President
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.
Dennis Xia Ph.D.
Dennis Xia Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
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.
Management Team
Bing C. Wang Ph.D.
Bing C. Wang Ph.D.
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Bing C. Wang is an accomplished biotechnology executive who brings extensive global experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Akeso, Dr. WANG was most recently the chief financial officer of Cellectis S.A., a France-based biopharmaceutical company that develops genome-edited CAR T-cell technologies for cancer immunotherapy. Dr. WANG was the co-founder and chief executive officer at Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc., a biotechnology company that utilizes CRISPR-activation to create therapeutic T-cells. Prior to that, Dr. WANG was a director of US healthcare investment banking at Barclays Capital, where he worked on numerous mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and other financing transactions for life sciences companies. Dr. WANG also serves on the advisory board of the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program at Columbia Business School.
Dr. WANG holds a Bachelor of Science degree in applied physics from Columbia University, a Master of Arts degree and a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School.
Kevin Guo
Kevin Guo
Chief Commercial Officer, Senior Vice President
Dr. Kevin Guo is responsible for leading Akeso’s commercial operations, with responsibility on the commercialization for both oncology and non-oncology therapeutics.
With nearly 30 years of experience in leading Chinese and multi-national pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Guo has a proven track record in strategic planning, team leadership, marketing, medical affairs, market access, and commercial operations. He has deep experience in cross-functional, cross-departmental, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Prior to joining Akeso, Dr. Guo held senior executive positions in MNC and China Biotech companies, including Eli Lilly, BMS China (through Sino-American Shanghai Squibb), Wyeth Pharmaceutical (now Pfizer), GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Eisai, Everest Medicines, and Kelun-Biotech. Dr. Guo has led commercial teams as well as built the commercial organization in some of these organizations. Dr. Kevin Guo has successfully led the launch and the lifecycle management of multiple innovative drugs, such as LENVIMA® in China, Japan, and other Asian markets, driving rapid sales growth in these regions.
Dr. Kevin Guo holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Medicine, and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree. He has four years of experience as a clinical doctor.
Mingxiu Hu Ph.D.
Mingxiu Hu Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
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.
Charlie Zhang Ph.D.
Charlie Zhang Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Dr. Charlie Zhang has 20 years’ global biopharma experience and contributed to over 60 biologics development, manufacturing and regulatory filings in US/EU and China. Before joining Akeso, Dr. Zhang was CEO of Foster Biologics, and senior vice president of CMC operation and regulatory at I-Mab Biopharma (Nasdaq: IMAB). Between 2012 and 2019, he served as the head of global CMC operation and general manager of Beijing site at Generon BioMed Holding Ltd, and oversaw CMC activities for the 1st China’s innovative biologics “Ryzneuta®” entering Phase II & III, and commercialization in US&EU.
Prior to 2012, Dr. Zhang participated in the development and regulatory filings for Vectibix®, Empliciti®, Praxbind®, Cyltezo®, Regranex® and numerous clinical stage biologics at Amgen, BI, PDL and Chiron.
Dr. Zhang obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Peking University and Ph.D. in chemistry from University of Rhode Island.
Jing Min Ph.D.
Jing Min Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
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.
Lei Ma
Lei Ma
Vice President
Mr.Lei Ma has over 20-year of industry experience from major global pharma and bio-tech companies including Schering-Plough, Merck, Sanofi and Daiichi Sankyo. He has extensive experience in leveraging quantitative clinical pharmacology and model-informed drug development (MIDD) to facilitate clinical development of drug candidates from FIH (First in human) to LCM (life cycle management) in multiple therapeutic areas including neuroscience, inflammation and immunology, infectious disease, rare disease and oncology.
Mr.Lei Ma received his Master’s degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech.