Dr Yong-Jun Lui appointed Sanofi’s Head of Research

Dr Yong-Jun Liu has been appointed as Sanofi’s new Head of Research, Global R&D, effective.

Dr Lui will report to Dr Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D.

Dr Liu is one of the world’s most prolific researchers in immunology, with over 94,000 citations and more than 250 published articles in top journals. His research has led to the development of several key drug targets in the areas of allergy, immunology and oncology. Dr Liu received his doctor of medicine degree in 1984 from Norman Bethune University School of Medicine in China, and earned his doctorate in immunology in 1989 at the University of Birmingham. 

Dr Liu will be responsible for leading all of Sanofi’s research with the goal of delivering innovative and high-value medicines for patients. He will work in collaboration with Sanofi’s Senior Leadership Team to build a competitive R&D organisation that leverages the best expertise, both internally and externally.

Positioning Sanofi on the ‘leading edge’ of drug discovery

Commenting on Dr Liu’s appointment, Dr Olivier Brandicourt, Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi, said: “Sanofi is delivering major therapeutic advances to patients, but in an increasingly competitive landscape it is excellence in science that will shape the medicines of tomorrow. I have great confidence that Yong-Jun will position Sanofi on the leading edge of scientific breakthroughs and drug discovery in the years ahead.”

“Yong-Jun will play a pivotal role in shaping a visionary R&D strategy for Sanofi and rejuvenating the company’s early-stage pipeline,” said Dr Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D, Sanofi. “His world-class experience in immunology, oncology and translational medicine will be vital assets as Sanofi sets its sights on scientific excellence and innovation across its therapeutic areas. I am delighted to welcome Yong-Jun to the Sanofi family.”

Dr Liu has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and at leading medical research centres. From 1991 to 1997, he was a Senior and then Principal Scientist at Schering-Plough’s Laboratory for Immunological Research. Dr Liu held a Principal Staff Scientist position at the DNAX Research Institute in California until 2002, when he became the founding director of the Cancer Immunology Research Institute at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. At MD Anderson, he also served as the Chair of the Department of Immunology, building the leading immunology programme in the US. In 2011, Dr Liu joined the Baylor Research Institute as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, and Director of the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research. He was appointed Head of Research at MedImmune in 2014.