Cai Li

From scratch, as the founding Head of CVM Discovery at CICoR, built a CVM Discovery Department and a CVM Discovery portfolio in a matrix environment. Within a span of less than 2 years since the launch of CVM discovery, current CVM portfolio boasts multiple projects in Lead Optimization/Lead Identifications phases, focusing on next generation obesity therapies. My responsibility as the Head of Strategy and Portfolio is to craft and implement the strategic and operational aspects of CICoR. Specifically, I am responsible to ensure the timely review and approval of all CICoR Discovery projects from target identification and validation to the initiation of early clinical development.

Primary responsibilities include: 1) Evaluate and identify CRO partners for expertise and capacity in Pharmacology to support the Merck pipeline 2) Manage execution of all of Merck's Oncology studies at CROs worldwide (US, Asia, and Europe)

Responsible for execution in China of in vivo studies of Merck Research Laboratories.

Joined Merck in 2005 as a Sr. Research Fellow Appointed Diabetes Pharmacology Lead in Jan., 2008 Appointed Biology Program Team Lead in April, 2009

Responsible for drug discovery and development portfolio (small molecules and biologics) of MRL's Diabetes franchise, with 5 programs in Lead Optimization and 3 programs in Lead Identification stages. Co-Led the Department through integration with legacy Schering-Plough in Oct. 2010 and with Obesity Department in Jan. 2011. Responsibilities include personnel, budgeting (~ $ 10 million annually), performance management (~ 50 FTEs), as well as academic collaborations. Directly responsible for a group of 28 scientists, including 13 Ph.Ds.

Recipient of a Career Development Award from the American Diabetes Association as well as grants from the NIH, ADA, JDRF, AHA-Texas Affiliate, and the Welch Foundation, totaling $1,295,000 in direct support.