Jinzhong (JZ) Zhang, PhD
Jinzhong (“JZ”) Zhang serves as the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With 25 years in ophthalmic research and drug development, Dr. Zhang has held senior leadership roles in both private and large global ophthalmology companies. Previously he served as Vice President of Preclinical Development at Graybug Vision, Senior Director of Preclinical Development at Santen, and Director of Preclinical Pharmacology at Bausch & Lomb. Dr. Zhang received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Peking University and PhD in Molecular Biology through a joint program between Peking University and Kyoto University, and postdoctoral training at Kyoto University and McGill University, served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University and Professor of Molecular Biology at Nankai University, and served as Principal Investigator on research awards sponsored by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Jinzhong (JZ) Zhang, PhD
Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Charles Semba, MD
Charles Semba serves as the company’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO). With more than 20 years in ophthalmic research and drug development, Dr. Semba has served as CMO in three prior ophthalmic companies: SARcode Bioscience (acquired by Shire/Takeda), ForSight VISION5 (acquired by Allergan), and Graybug Vision (NASDAQ: GRAY). He has held senior leadership roles as Vice President of Ophthalmic Medicine at Shire/Takeda and Ophthalmology Group Head at Genentech. Dr. Semba led the clinical development of ranibizumab (LUCENTIS®), the first global blockbuster anti-VEGF agent to reverse blindness in wet age-related macular degeneration and lifitegrast (XIIDRA®), the first novel agent for the treatment of both signs and symptoms of dry eye disease; XIIDRA was acquired by Novartis for over $5 billion (USD). Currently an adjunct professor at Stanford University, he earned his MD at the University of Minnesota, his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (cum laude) at Carleton College and completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of California – San Diego and fellowship in cardiovascular/interventional radiology at the Miami Vascular Institute (University of Miami).
Charles Semba, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Wei Yong Shen, MD, PhD
Wei Yong Shen serves as the Senior Vice President of Preclinical Development. He has more than 25 years of experience in basic and translational research in retinal diseases. Dr. Shen is a fully trained ophthalmologist and has developed numerous animal models using various species of animals including novel transgenic mice to study anti-VEGF agents and gene therapy for wet and dry forms of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal degenerations. His body of work has led to over 90 publications in the fields of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience. His past positions include Senior Research Fellow and Laboratory Head at the University of Sydney, Senior Scientist and In Vivo Team Leader at Bausch & Lomb, Peter Doherty Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and Research Officer at the University of Western Australia. Dr. Shen received his medical training in ophthalmology at the PLA General Hospital and China/Japan Friendship Hospital. He earned his PhD in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (with distinction) at the University of Western Australia, Master’s degree in Medicine (Ophthalmology) at PLA General Hospital, and medical degree at Shandong University.
Wei Yong Shen, MD, PhD
Senior Vice President, Preclinical Development
Mei Li, MD
Mei Li serves as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations. Dr. Li is a physician and brings over 20 years of experience in clinical operations to Eluminex Biosciences. She has held previous roles as Director of Clinical Operations for Allergan (China) and has managed clinical trials at Xi’an Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Wyeth, EPS and the George Institute (contract research organizations). She contributed to the successful development and registration of multiple imported ophthalmic products at Allergan (China). Dr. Li received her medical degree at Peking University (formerly Beijing Medical University).
Mei Li, MD
Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations
Youqin Tian, MD, PhD
Youqin Tian serves as the company’s Senior Vice President of Product Development. With more than 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Tian has been involved in parenteral and ophthalmic product development for both Chinese and US markets. She has successfully led the IND/CTA, NDA/BLA/MAA filings and approvals. Previously Dr. Tian has served as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Ascendis Pharma, Director of Global Regulatory Affairs at Alcon, Novartis Company and Santen Inc., and Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical Development/Ocular Drug Delivery at Alcon. Dr. Tian received her medical degree from Capital Medical University (formerly Beijing Second Medical University) and PhD in Pharmaceutics from the University of Illinois.
Youqin Tian, MD, PhD
Senior Vice President, Product Development
Lening Zhang, MD, PhD
Lening Zhang serves as the company’s Vice President of Biometrics. Dr. Zhang had over 20 years of experience working as a biostatistician in both academia and industry settings. Dr. Zhang’s industry experience included over ten years of experience working on ophthalmology drug and medical device development at Santen Inc., Statistics & Data Corporation, and Bausch + Lomb. Dr. Zhang’s academic experience was at National Jewish Health where she worked as a biostatistician and Assistant Professor. Dr. Zhang holds a medical degree from Jilin University (formerly Norman Bethune College of Medicine), a PhD in Biological Chemistry from Drexel University College of Medicine (formerly Hahnemann University), and postdoctoral training in biochemistry/molecular biology and Master’s degree in Biometrics from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Lening Zhang, MD, PhD
Vice President, Biometrics
Juanjuan (Jessie) Chen
Jessie Chen serves as Director and Head of Human Resources (HR). With more than 15 years of experience serving in HR as both an employee and consultant, Ms. Chen is an industry veteran with expertise in building high performance teams for biopharmaceutical companies. Prior to joining Eluminex, she has worked as the head of the pharmaceutical industry group at ManGO Associates (Suzhou), a professional human resources service organization. In addition to recruiting top tier talent for both emerging and established pharmaceutical companies, she also has provided professional HR management consulting services to the biomedical industry. Ms. Chen has served many foreign companies in the HR role including Baxter, Efore, and Sanyo. She has systematic operation experience in advanced enterprise management models and human resource management modules. Ms. Chen received her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Soochow University. She is a national registered human resource manager and psychological counselor.
Juanjuan (Jessie) Chen
Director and Head of Human Resources
Yunfeng Zhu, MS
Mr. Yunfeng Zhu is currently the Assistant General Manager, in charge of the manufacturing operations. With more than 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he has accumulated extensive expertise in developing pharmaceutical products for the Chinese market. Prior to joining Eluminex, he worked in Santen China for more than six years, responsible for process development and technology transfer. Since joining Eluminex’s founding team in February 2020, he has held various positions within the company, including project management, administration and manufacturing operations. Mr. Zhu holds a master’s degree in pharmaceutics from Soochow University.