Management
Jieyi Wang, Ph.D.
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Dr. Wang founded Lyvgen and dedicated its research and development to world leading Immuno-Oncology (IO) therapeutics to meet global clinical needs. Lyvgen’s proprietary xLinkAb platform enables the generation of agonistic antibodies with tumor-localized immunostimulatory activities by integrating multiple functions of candidate antibodies. The leading xLinkAb products including LVGN7409 (CD40 agonist mAb) and LVGN6051 (CD137/4-1BB agonist mAb) are presently in clinical development. Prior to founding Lyvgen, Dr. Wang worked at Abbott/ AbbVie for 22 years in Oncology R&D and led research teams that delivered multiple antibody protein drugs into clinical development including the Breakthrough Therapy Designated investigational telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V, ABBV-399). Dr. Wang received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Shanghai Medical University (now School of Medicine, Fudan University) and Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from The State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA.
"I founded Lyvgen with the intention of leveraging my years of experience in innovative drug research and development to discover drugs for the treatment of major diseases such as cancer, so as to benefit more cancer patients. Lyvgen operates with a global strategy, having its R&D centers in Shanghai, CMC process development site in Suzhou, and clinical and BD teams in both China and the US. We look forward to providing more treatment options for cancer patients around the world."
C. Hubert Chan, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Chan is a board-certified physician in medical oncology and internal medicine. He has been engaged in clinical practice and research for more than 20 years and participated as a clinical investigator in many phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3 clinical studies of chemotherapeutics, small molecules, and biological oncology drugs. Entering the biopharmaceutical industry in 2016, he successfully provided the leading role of clinical development for pivotal studies and contributed to the regulatory approval of two anti-cancer agents in both FDA and EMA. Dr. Chan obtained his Ph.D. in Pathobiology from University of Minnesota and his M.D. from Chung Shan Medical University. He also received postdoctoral training in the oncology department at Stanford University.
“As a treating physician and clinical scientist, my enthusiasm for joining Lyvgen comes from the belief that Lyvgen’s innovated immune-stimulating agonistic antibodies can benefit cancer patients. I will contribute my oncology knowledge, clinical development expertise, and devotion to pave the way to success.”
Senior Vice President, Product Development
General Manager of Lyvgen Suzhou
Dr. Liu provides leadership and oversight of Lyvgen CMC operation and development, including process and analytical development, qualification and validation strategies, planning and execution. As a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Dr. Liu brings over 20 years management and technical experience in executions of more than 20 biologics at all CMC development stages. Prior to joining Lyvgen, Dr. Liu held senior leadership positions at Epitomics, Armo Biosciences, Versartis, Nektar Therapeutics and Sutro Biopharma. Dr. Liu received his undergraduate degree from Jilin University and his Ph.D. degree from Iowa State University.
"I am very appreciative and passionate about the Lyvgen mission, culture and team. Together, we will provide patients and society with more efficacious and safer therapies."
Yi Wu, Ph.D.
Vice President
Discovery
Dr. Wu has more than 10 years’ experience in antibody drug discovery and is key inventor of Lyvgen’s innovative pipeline technology and molecules, including xLinkMAb CD137 agonist LVGN6051 and CD40 agonist LVGN7409.
Dr. Wu obtained his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and bachelor’s degree in clinical medicine from Shanghai Medical College Fudan University.
"With our leading innovative CD137 agonist LVGN6051 and CD40 agonist LVGN7409 showing both safety and activity in early clinical trials, we have developed an innovative and differentiated portfolio of pipelines in R&D and IND-enabling stage, including xLinkMAb, xLinkBsAb and xLinkTsAb. With our expertise in immuno-oncology, especially in agonistic targets, we’re transforming in-house R&D capability and collaboration with other research institutions into practice-changing cancer drugs.
Janice Marie McCourt, BS, RPh, MBA, CLP
Chief Business Officer
Ms. Janice Marie McCourt is a senior executive with 20 years expertise and in depth Business Development and Commercial Operations strategic perspective with an array of experience with Fortune 100, mid size and start-up biotech, pharmaceutical, and consulting companies, and has initiated and developed strong business partnerships with major pharmaceutical/ biotechnology, CRO, payer and provider company organizations. Her vision and leadership qualities has been demonstrated by raising over $3.5 billion in investment and partnering deals during her career.
"Lyvgen BD strategy is aligned with our R&D and clinical development plans which are IO agonist focused and patients’ benefits driven . We are looking for partners for co-development with our current clinical candidates, and licensing or collaboration opportunities for xLinkAb bispecific and trispecific antibody platform and biomarker related bio-informatics technology."
Lynn Jiang, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Clinical Operation
Dr. Jiang, Senior Vice President, is responsible for Lyvgen’s strategic planning of clinical development and overall clinical operations. She has expertise in drug discovery and development with 19 years of extensive R&D experiences in global pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and DuPont Pioneer. Dr. Jiang received her Bachelor degree from Shanghai Medical University (now School of Pharmacy, Fudan University) and Ph.D. from Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and post-doc training in NIH in the USA.
“Lyvgen is a startup biopharma company committed to deliver innovative medicines to help millions of cancer patients around the world. Its mission aligns well with my life-long passion. Lyvgen’s culture is science-driven and delivery-oriented which attracts and retains talented professionals at every level. Lyvgen’s management is efficient and effective, and every role takes its accountabilities. I have faith in Lyvgen to successfully innovate new drugs that tackle diseases and ultimately save patients’ lives, or improve their quality of life. I enjoy working in Lyvgen and growing my career as Lyvgen grows”.
Hao Wang
Vice President
General Operation
"As one of the earliest members of Lyvgen family, I experienced the dynamic evolution of the company development, from a discovery research-based startup into a biotech company with a complex structure of Discovery, CMC, Clinical, and BD departments present in China and the US. In order to meet the needs of Lyvgen’s exponential growth today, our team is engaged to increase the efficiency of company operations, improve management and control, identify cost saving initiatives and enhance financial performance."