Novartis China Announces Key Leadership Appointments in Oncology and Immunology Therapeutic Areas

On the last day of March, Novartis announced a major personnel appointment.

In the field of tumor treatmentNovartis announced the transition and expansion of responsibilities for its core leadership. The announcement revealed that Liu Zhengya will officially join the China team from Novartis Japan on May 1, 2026.Appointed as the Head of Oncology Therapeutic Area at Novartis China and becoming a member of the China Management Team in the International Business Unit, effective...He will relocate to Shanghai with his family to oversee operations.

Public information shows that Liu Zhengya has rich leadership experience in multinational pharmaceutical enterprises, with many years of profound work in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMA) regions as well as multiple countries. He once led the business layout of APMA region's blood, CAR-T and other sectors. During his tenure as the therapeutic area leader in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, China, he successfully promoted the launch of several blockbuster new products and achieved business growth. Since October 2023, when he took on the role of head of solid tumor treatment at Novartis Japan, he not only completed the launch of multiple strategic products and organizational transformation but also fully advanced the construction of radioligand therapy capabilities, accumulating solid business and management experience for this new role in China.

Accompanying Liu Zhengya's new appointmentYan Wei, the former head of China's oncology treatment field, has left the company for personal reasons. Novartis expressed gratitude for her contributions in leading the team to serve Chinese cancer patients during her tenure. Meanwhile, to ensure a smooth business transition, Wang Ziwen will take over...During the transition period (until April 30), support will be provided. Starting from May 1, Wang Ziwen will expand his responsibilities on top of his current role as the head of the Radioligand Therapy field, and take full leadership of the lung cancer and solid tumor product portfolio, further strengthening the operation and management of the oncology product matrix.

Field of ImmunotherapySimilarly, there will be important personnel adjustments. Xu Wei, the current head of Novartis China's Neuroscience and Transplantation Therapeutic Areas, will assume the role of acting head of Novartis China’s Immunology Therapeutic Area starting April 1, 2026, as a member of the International Business Unit’s China management team, continuing to report directly to the senior management.

Xu Wei has solid product management and business development capabilities. Since taking office as the head of the ophthalmology, neuroscience, and transplant therapy fields in May 2025, she has led her team to implement meticulous management throughout the product lifecycle, effectively driving business growth. Previously, she served as the head of the lung cancer and solid tumor portfolio, where she empowered the team to drive rapid product growth by integrating resources. She also spearheaded market brand building in the immunotherapy field, creating a leading market reputation for Cosentyx through clear market strategies and integrated patient service programs. Her current interim leadership role as the head of the immunotherapy field will further advance the strategic implementation in this area.

In addition, Wang Jia, the current head of China's immunotherapy field, will transition to become the leader of key projects in China, reporting directly to the management. In this new role, Wang Jia will have full responsibility for advancing Novartis China’s key initiatives, ensuring the company’s strategic priorities are implemented efficiently amid a complex and ever-changing external environment.

"Siqi Circle" noted that this personnel adjustment comes at a crucial year when Novartis China is fully committed to realizing its "China Vision." By introducing local managers with international perspectives and promoting versatile talents from within, Novartis is attempting to build a more resilient organizational structure in core therapeutic areas such as oncology and immunology, to address the fierce competition and challenges in China's pharmaceutical market.