Chih-Jen Wei

Built and led the infectious disease R&D division from the ground up, establishing one of the company's highest-performing scientific teams focused on multispecific antibodies and nanoparticle vaccines. Served as Principal Investigator for a $110M BARDA Project NextGen contract supporting multispecific antibody development for pandemic preparedness. Directed SARS-CoV-2 multispecific antibody program through all IND-enabling activities, achieving FDA 'Safe to Proceed' status and initiating Phase I clinical trial. Led EBV nanoparticle vaccine program through clinical development and executed strategic licensing transaction with Merck valued at up to $872.5M. Advanced HIV multispecific antibody and EBV vaccine programs into Phase I clinical trials, demonstrating immunogenicity and safety endpoints. Established strategic research collaborations with NIH/VRC, Duke University, Boston University NEIDL, and IAVI to accelerate infectious disease programs.

Led cross-functional R&D teams developing next-generation vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, and biologics delivery platforms for infectious diseases. Identified and optimized RSV vaccine candidates that progressed into clinical development, applying structure-based design and immunogen optimization approaches. Designed broadly protective nanoparticle vaccine platforms for Lyme disease and other infectious disease indications. Designed TLR-agonist conjugated nanoparticles as self-adjuvanting vaccines for influenza viruses. Evaluated and advanced multispecific antibody technologies and novel biologics delivery platforms with potential applications across therapeutic areas.

Directed universal influenza vaccine research initiatives and supervised multidisciplinary scientific teams across virology, immunology, and structural biology. Led evaluation of H5N1 prime/boost vaccine strategies in multiple Phase I clinical trials, generating critical immunogenicity and safety data. Developed structure-based hemagglutinin (HA) nanoparticle vaccine technologies and investigated pandemic influenza cross-neutralization mechanisms.