Ascletis Appoints Dr. Handan He, Former Novartis Global Head, as Chief Scientific Officer

Hangzhou and Shaoxing, Oct. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. ("Ascletis Pharma," 1672.HK), a research-driven innovative biotechnology company dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs in the three major fields of antiviral, cancer, and fatty liver diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. He Handan as Chief Scientific Officer, who will report to Dr. Wu Jinzi, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Ascletis.

Dr. He Handan previously served as the Global Head of Computer Simulation, Biopharmaceutics, and Translational Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics at Novartis Pharmaceuticals (New Jersey, USA). In this role, she managed relevant research teams in the United States and Switzerland, with primary responsibilities encompassing computer-simulated prediction of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME); human pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic predictions; translational pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics; in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) predictions; and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling for drug absorption, drug-drug interactions, organ failure, and pediatrics.

Dr. Han-dan He joined Novartis (New Jersey) in 1997. During her 22-year tenure at Novartis, Dr. He authored more than 30 Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and three New Drug Applications (NDAs) for Galvus, Indacaterol, and Midostaurin, providing expert support for Novartis’s research and development across all disease areas in both preclinical and clinical stages. At Novartis, Dr. He led a total of 15 due diligence evaluation projects (Phase I to Phase III), facilitating the introduction of new projects and strengthening the company’s R&D pipeline.

“We are delighted to have Dr. He join Ascletis,” said Dr. Wu Jinzi. “Dr. He’s successful R&D experience and past outstanding achievements will bring tremendous value to Ascletis’s research and development.”

Dr. He Handan stated, “Ascletis’ R&D strategy has been highly successful since the company’s inception. I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Wu and the Ascletis R&D team to develop first-in-class innovative drugs.”

Dr. He Handan was honored with the 2009 Top 50 Asian Americans of Influence Award. This prestigious award, one of the most esteemed recognitions for Asian Americans in the United States, aims to honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and achievements. In 2008, Dr. He received Novartis’s highest global VIVA Award (Vision, Innovation, Value, and Achievement) in recognition of her scientific contributions as a Lifetime Leader Scientist at Novartis. Dr. He previously served as the 20th President of the Society of American Pharmacists and Physicians (SAPA), an association comprising over 4,000 scientists engaged in new drug research and development.

Dr. Han Dan He has published over 65 peer-reviewed scientific papers, two book chapters, and more than 40 conference abstracts. She earned her Ph.D. in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.

About Ascletis

Ascletis is an innovative, R&D-driven biotechnology company with two marketed products, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Ascletis Pharma, 1672.HK). Ascletis is dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs in three therapeutic areas: antiviral treatments, oncology, and fatty liver disease. Under the leadership of a management team with deep expertise and a strong track record, Ascletis has evolved into an integrated platform company covering the entire value chain from new drug discovery and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Currently, Ascletis has two marketed products: Ganovo®, the first direct-acting antiviral drug for hepatitis C treatment developed by a domestic Chinese enterprise, and Pegasys®, a long-acting interferon with a solid market foundation for the treatment of hepatitis B and C, developed in collaboration with Roche. Ascletis’ R&D pipeline includes antibody-based immunotherapies, first-in-class or best-in-class small-molecule drugs, and siRNA therapeutics at various stages of clinical development. For more information, please visit the website:www.ascletis.com。