– CHINA, Hangzhou – Hangzhou Qihan Biotech Co., Ltd., an industry leader in applying multiplexable genome editing technology to cell therapies and organ transplantation, today announced the appointment of Dr. Tony Ho, (M.D.) to its Board as an independent director.
“I am excited to welcome Tony, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Qihan Biotech. With a particular focus on supervising the company’s Research and Development, Tony’s leadership and proven track record will be instrumental as we continue to grow and advance our pipeline,” said co-founder, and CEO, Dr. Luhan Yang.
About Dr. Tony W. Ho
Dr. Ho is a highly accomplished leader with extensive experience across all phases of Research & Development, including discovery, early and late-stage clinical development, and regulatory throughout his over 20 years of career, and most recently served as EVP and Head of Research & Development at CRISPR Therapeutics, where he oversaw the company’s global research and development efforts across all therapeutic areas.
In 4 years at CRISPR Therapeutics, Dr. Ho built a world-class R&D engine and a pipeline of over 10 product candidates. He and his team have brought the first CRISPR-based therapy CTX001, three allogeneic CAR-T (CTX110 (CD19), 120 (BCMA), 130 (CD70)), and the first CRISPR edited pancreatic islet progenitor cells (VCTX210) from research bench to the clinic. Before CRISPR Therapeutics, Dr. Ho was SVP and Head of Oncology Integration and Innovation at AstraZeneca and oversaw the development and commercialization of Lynparza and Imfinizi (anti-PD-L1). 10 Phase 3 trials designed under his leadership have now read out positive (Lynparza: SOLO1, SOLO2, SOLO3-1L & PSR Ovarian, OlympiAD-TNBC, POLO-Pancreatic, PAOLA – 1L Ovarian, ProFound 2LmCRC; Imfinizi: Pacific- NSCLC, CASPIAN 1L SCLC, Poseidon 1L NSCLC (IO+IO+CHEMO). He has also successfully repositioned a failed NK3 antagonist for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Before joining AstraZeneca, Dr. Ho was the head of Neurology and Ophthalmology at Merck, where he led the development and launch of Zioptan and several Phase III programs, including CGRP-RA for migraine, A2a-RA for Parkinson’s disease, prostaglandin for glaucoma, and several early programs in neuropathic pain, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease. Before Merck, Dr. Ho was the Co-Founder and CSO of Neuronyx, a start-up that developed stem cells for heart failure, immuno-oncology, and islet cells.
Dr. Ho completed his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and received his M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He was Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, specializing in neuropathy and neuromuscular diseases, and described and elucidated the pathogenesis of a new disease called “acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN).” He has published widely in several fields, with over 80 papers. Currently, he serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University.
“The Company’s multiplexable genome editing platform, combined with the team’s deep knowledge and research of Natural Killer (NK) cell biology, is the solid cornerstone of Qihan’s product innovation,” commented Dr. Tony Ho. “I am delighted to join Qihan’s Board of Directors, and my perspective is to help foster a team’s success and develop the off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell therapy product that is safe and effective for patients worldwide.”
About Qihan Biotech
Qihan Biotech is a biotech company applying genome-editing technology to develop novel cell therapies and organs for transplantation. The company’s mission is to use high-throughput, multiplexable genome editing combined with expertise in transplantation immunology to create immunologically privileged allogeneic cells and xenogeneic organs for use as therapies to treat cancer, organ failure, and other complex medical conditions. With a vision to create a world in which cell and organ therapies are universally available to patients, Qihan Biotech has raised two financing rounds. It is advancing its cell therapy programs into IND-enabling investigations. Qihan Biotech is headquartered in Hangzhou, China.
For more information: https://www.qihanbio.com/
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