GSK China Executive Cecilia Qi Departs to Lead DCH Auriga as CEO

(Source: Yidu Pharma)

Source: Yidu Pharma

According to industry reports, GSK China has recently experienced another significant personnel change:GSK Greater China and Intercontinental Region Vice President and Vaccines Business Head Qi Xin Officially Resigns.

Just a few days ago, Cecilia (Xin) Qi announced on social media that she would be concluding her 25-year career in the global pharmaceutical industry.Announced that he will officially serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DCH Auriga.Verify the credibility of the above information.

The medical business line of its new owner, DCH Auriga, can be traced back to the Borneo Company Limited, founded in London, UK, in the 1850s. In 1967, it was merged into the Inchcape Group along with its parent company. Later, it went through stages such as the Li & Fung Distribution Group and Li & Fung Asia. On July 12, 2016, Dah Chong Hong Holdings acquired 100% of Li & Fung Asia through a wholly-owned subsidiary. On November 1, 2017, the medical and healthcare products business of Li & Fung Asia was officially renamed DCH Auriga, with its operations in mainland China registered under the entity "Aurora Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd."

As the core subsidiary of DCH Group's (HKEX: 01828.HK) healthcare division, DCH Auriga's global headquarters is located in Central, Hong Kong, China. Its operations cover 8 Asian countries and regions, including China (31 provinces and municipalities in mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macao), and Singapore. It provides comprehensive market management services for medical and healthcare products, including business cooperation, logistics solutions, compliance support, and more.

The addition of Qi Xin will undoubtedly bring rich industry experience and outstanding leadership to DCH Auriga. She will lead DCH Auriga to focus on the core needs of the pharmaceutical industry, providing clients with more valuable services through innovative business models and efficient operational strategies.

Data shows that Qi Xin graduated from the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, then joined Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), serving as a product manager and manager of the Oncology and Anti-Infective Business Unit, responsible for the marketing and brand management of multiple innovative drugs. Subsequently, Qi Xin held positions at Pfizer, Sanofi, and MSD, accumulating extensive professional knowledge and management experience.

In 2004, Qi Xin joined GSK China, serving as the Marketing Director for the vaccine business. Since then, she has held various positions including General Manager of the Hepatitis Business Unit and Head of Digital Marketing and Commercial Excellence Team.

In 2017, Qi Xin was appointed as the General Manager of GSK in Hong Kong and Macao, China. In 2019, she was promoted to Vice President of GSK China and General Manager of GSK China Vaccines.In January 2020, Qi Xin became the General Manager of GSK China, the first Chinese national to hold the position of General Manager of GSK China.Under her leadership, GSK China has driven the approval and launch of 21 new products and indications.Including long-acting HIV therapies, recombinant shingles vaccines, etc., while maintaining business growth.

In May 2024, Qi Xin was appointed as Vice President of GSK Greater China and Intercontinental Region and Head of Vaccines Business.In this role, she is responsible for the vaccine business development across multiple markets, including China, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Qi Xin's career has not only witnessed the transformation of the global pharmaceutical industry but has also become a model for the growth of cross-disciplinary talent in the pharmaceutical sector.

According to the global financial report released by GSK on July 30, 2025, GSK's business in China showed a diversified trend in the first half of 2025, with specialty medicines becoming the main driver of growth.

Globally, the specialty drugs business achieved revenue of 6.26 billion pounds, marking a 16% increase. Among these, global sales of the oncology drugs Omjjara and Jemperli grew by 47%. Following their approval in China, their promotion has proceeded smoothly, with market share steadily increasing. For respiratory and immunology drugs Nucala and Benlysta, global sales reached 942 million pounds (up 13%) and 810 million pounds (up 23%), respectively. Demand for these two drugs in the Chinese market continues to rise, strongly driving the growth of the global business. The global combined revenue from the portfolio of long-acting HIV treatment solutions exceeded 3.5 billion pounds, with stable growth. Collaboration between GSK and China in the field of HIV prevention and treatment has deepened, promoting product sales growth.

In terms of vaccine business, global revenue reached 4.186 billion pounds, increasing by 1%. Only the meningitis vaccine portfolio (Bexsero and Menveo) achieved double-digit growth of 21%, while other vaccine product lines performed poorly. Some vaccine products faced fierce competition in the Chinese market, coupled with fluctuations in vaccination rates, which in turn affected the growth rate of the global business.

GSK's global sales in the general medicines business were £5.056 billion, a 3% decline. The Chinese market, affected by competition and policy factors, also faces certain pressures.

In terms of R&D collaboration, global R&D investment reached 3.486 billion pounds, increasing by 22% year-on-year. In July, GSK...Hengrui MedicineGSK and Partner Reach Collaboration to Jointly Develop Up to 12 Innovative Drugs, with GSK Paying $500 Million Upfront and Potential Total Amount of Approximately $12 Billion; This Collaboration is Expected to Bring More Innovative Achievements to the Chinese Market and Support the Future Development of GSK's Business in China.

Overall, the Chinese market was key to the growth of GSK's specialty medicines business in the first half of the year.Driving Force, but faces challenges in the vaccine and generic drug businesses.Going forward, the introduction of innovative products and strategic collaborations will become crucial directions for GSK China to break through development bottlenecks.

Besides, it is worth noting that GSK China has undergone a series of significant personnel changes this year——

In April, the company established a new Chief Operating Officer position, which was assumed by Maurizio Borgatta.

In June, Emerging Markets (EM) and Greater China & Intercontinental Region (GCI) were integrated into a new international region, led by Mike Crichton.

On August 9, Peggy Fung, head of the vaccine business, resigned.

These changes reflect GSK China's proactive efforts in strategic adjustment and business optimization to better adapt to market changes and drive company growth.