What are the key factors that leading pharmaceutical companies typically focus on before initiating collaboration deals? | PharmaTimes Live

Opportunities for collaboration have arrived!

Chinese listed pharmaceutical companies are seeking innovative drugs in clinical stages for gynecology (excluding oncology) or anti-infectives, with priority given to small molecules. They hope for mature targets with low risk.

Pharmaceutical companies interested are welcome to contact the PharmTimes BD team immediately!

BD@drugtimes.cn

According to industry reports, Zai Lab recently announced internally,Yizhe Wang officially joined the company as Operating Partner, Global Chief Business Officer and General Manager of Greater China., directly reporting to Chairman Dr. Samantha Du. Prior to his official appointment, Wang Yizhe had already been deeply involved in Zai Lab's affairs for several months in an advisory role, gaining a profound understanding of the company’s business layout and strategic direction.

Wang Yizhe's career trajectory is quite unique. After obtaining his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Yale University in 1998, he joined the R&D department of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) as a senior researcher. Three years later, he chose to pursue an MBA at the Wharton School. In 2003, he worked successively at Cubist Pharmaceuticals (the original research company for daptomycin) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he began a 15-year career spanning multiple departments across the UK and the US. In 2014, Wang Yizhe was transferred to China, where he served as the head of GSK’s China marketing department and the general head of the respiratory products division, deeply engaging in the operation of the Chinese market.

In 2018,Wang Yizhe Joins Eli Lilly, Appointed as Head of Eli Lilly China's Oncology and Cross-Biochemical Products DivisionIn 2020, he was transferred to the US headquarters to serve as the global R&D head of the anti-inflammatory drug Mirikizumab. In 2021, he left the multinational pharmaceutical system and successively served as the CEO of LianBio and the CEO of Tavotek Biotherapeutics, gaining practical experience in leading innovative drug R&D and strategic decision-making from the perspective of a startup company.

Zai Lab's introduction of Wang Yizhe at this time has its clear business logic. According to the company’s latest financial report, the total revenue for the whole year of 2025 reached 4.60 billion US dollars, increasing by 15.3% year-on-year, and the net loss attributable to shareholders narrowed by 31.7% year-on-year; the financial situation continued to improve. The company already has multiple commercialized products in the fields of oncology, anti-infectives, and autoimmune diseases, while several self-developed and introduced products are in critical clinical stages. Zai Lab is in need of a leader who can not only accurately evaluate the scientific value of early pipelines but also promote the global commercialization.

Wang YizheWith both R&D background and commercial operation experience, which happens to meet this need. More remarkably,He has both the in-depth experience of working in the Chinese market during his time at GSK and Eli Lilly, and the global perspective of leading worldwide R&D projects from the U.S. headquarters.。This complete resume spans across markets, functions, and corporate stages.It is precisely the type of talent that is urgently needed in the process of internationalization of China's innovative pharmaceutical companies.

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