CStone Pharmaceuticals Appoints Ms. Ping Zhao as General Manager for Greater China and Head of Commercialization

Suzhou, December 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CStone Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“CStone Pharmaceuticals” or the “Company,” HKEX stock code: 2616) today announced the appointment of Ms. Zhao Ping as General Manager of Greater China and Head of Commercialization, responsible for overseeing the commercialization of the Company’s products. She will report directly to Dr. Jiang Ningjun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CStone Pharmaceuticals.

Ms. Zhao Ping is a successful female leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She has served at several renowned international pharmaceutical companies and possesses over 26 years of experience in the Chinese pharmaceutical market. With exceptional business acumen and strategic thinking, she is a rare talent among local professional managers in China, capable of translating corporate strategies into concrete tactics and executing them effectively. Prior to joining CStone Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Zhao served as General Manager of Bristol-Myers Squibb China. During her tenure, she successfully spearheaded the launch of Opdivo® (nivolumab), the first PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved in China.

Ms. Zhao Ping possesses profound insights into the broader landscape of China’s pharmaceutical industry, market access, and government affairs. She has spearheaded the development of the rare disease, oncology, and medical aesthetics markets in China. Her outstanding leadership and execution capabilities have enabled her to successfully lead the launch of multiple renowned products in China, consistently establishing them as leading brands in their respective fields during her tenure. These products include Opdivo®, Botox®, Alimta®, Gemzar®, Taxol®, and Juvederm®.

Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ms. Zhao Ping served as General Manager of the China region at Genzyme and Allergan, respectively. Through forward-looking strategic planning and efficient organizational development, she successfully established Genzyme China and Allergan China as leading companies in their respective fields, achieving remarkable performance. Ms. Zhao places strong emphasis on talent cultivation and development, and possesses extensive expertise in corporate culture building and corporate governance.

In the early stages of her career, Ms. Zhao Ping specialized in the oncology business sector, serving Eli Lilly and Company China for 10 years and Bristol-Myers Squibb China for 5 years. During this period, as a representative of the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Zhao made outstanding contributions to the establishment and development of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO). She also co-conceived and promoted the China Lung Cancer Summit, helping it become one of the most influential forums in the field of lung cancer.

Ms. Zhao Ping is an obstetrician-gynecologist and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. As the first Chinese national to serve on the Board of Directors in the history of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, she represented the Chamber twice in 2016 and 2017 at the “Capitol Hill Fly-In” in Washington, D.C., to foster business communication and promote trade between China and the United States.

“CStone Pharmaceuticals is at a critical juncture, transitioning from the clinical stage to commercialization. This year, we have already in TaiwanRegion“Having submitted the marketing application for Tibsovo®, the first product for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, we plan to submit new drug applications for multiple products and indications in China in 2020. The Company already boasts a robust R&D team, and I believe that the addition of an outstanding leader like Ms. Zhao Ping will further empower CStone Pharmaceuticals to realize its vision of ‘becoming a globally renowned, leading Chinese biopharmaceutical company by bringing innovative oncology therapies to cancer patients worldwide.’” stated Dr. Jiang Ningjun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CStone Pharmaceuticals.

Currently, CStone Pharmaceuticals has 13 registrational clinical trials underway, including six PD-L1 registrational trials covering cancers with high incidence in China, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer. Five drug candidates are currently in pivotal trials. Upon joining the company, Ms. Zhao Ping will be dedicated to comprehensively leading the development of a highly effective commercialization team, ensuring full preparedness for the upcoming product launches.

“Like Dr. Jiang Ningjun, I transitioned from clinical practice to the pharmaceutical industry. I strongly align with Dr. Jiang’s and CStone Pharmaceuticals’ vision and philosophy: to drive local innovation targeting high-incidence cancers and urgent clinical needs in China, ultimately making a global impact and benefiting more cancer patients,” said Ms. Zhao Ping. “I am deeply impressed by the achievements and robust product portfolio CStone has built since its inception. Additionally, CStone boasts a top-tier management team, which further motivated me to join the company. I am confident in CStone’s prospects and delighted to embark on this journey of shared growth.”