BeOne Medicines, a global drug company that originated as a research and development (R&D) firm in Beijing, promoted Wang Lai to the newly created role of co-president, marking a leadership expansion as the company advances its late-stage pipeline and globalisation efforts.
The 48-year-old has served as the company’s global head of R&D since April 2021. Effective January, Wang would take the helm of an expanded portfolio, retaining his R&D responsibilities while also overseeing business development and the management of business alliance relationships, according to a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday.
The appointment was approved by the board of directors on December 17.
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Before becoming global R&D head in 2021, Wang held various research leadership positions in BeOne. Before that, he had helmed research operations as director at Joyant Pharmaceuticals, a Texas-based biotech company, from 2008 to 2011.
Wang, who holds US citizenship, earned a bachelor of science degree from Fudan University in 1996 and a PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Centre, San Antonio, in 2001.
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He will serve alongside Wu Xiaobin, 63, as co-president of the company. Wu, a German citizen, previously served as country manager of Pfizer China and regional president of Pfizer Essential Health for Greater China before joining BeOne.