Li Zhengqing Returns to Merck as Head of China R&D and MRL Vice President

After a brief tenure at Ascletis Pharma, Li Zhengqing will return to MSD.

Last night, Dr. Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD), announced an update regarding MSD’s Global Clinical Research Department: Mr. Li Zhengqing will return to MSD next Monday (July 8) to serve as Vice President of Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) China, where he will lead MRL’s operations in China and resume oversight of MSD’s investigational product portfolio in the country.

Meanwhile, Li Zhengqing will once again serve as the Head of MSD China R&D Center and become a member of the global clinical research leadership team at MSD MRL, reporting directly to Belloy.

Li Zhengqing formerly served as Global Vice President and General Manager of the China R&D Center at MSD. On February 19 this year, MSD China announced that Li Zhengqing would leave the company to pursue external career opportunities, with his last working day being February 28.

On March 1, Ascletis Pharma announced the appointment of Li Zhengqing as Chief Medical Officer and President of Research and Development for Greater China, reporting to Wu Jinzi, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Ascletis.

Li Zhengqing graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China. He then pursued advanced studies in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to joining MSD, he served as the Head of Research and Development and Clinical Research for Bristol-Myers Squibb China. In October 2011, he joined MSD as Global Vice President and Head of MSD’s China R&D Center.

MSD’s China R&D Center is located in Beijing and employs more than 600 staff. Previously, Li Zhengqing served as General Manager of MSD R&D (China) Co., Ltd.

According to internal sources at MSD, MSD’s China R&D Center is expected to conduct approximately 40 clinical trials this year, marking the highest annual number since its establishment, and will continue to pursue regulatory approvals for innovative medicines and vaccines, including Keytruda.