Yuechao (Jim) Zhao, PhD

• Lead global preclinical pharmacology strategy and organizational development for a diversified cell therapy portfolio, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of 30+ scientists supporting oncology, autoimmune, and in vivo engineering programs • Support autologous/allogeneic CAR-T (αβ/γδ), CAR-NK and in vivo cell therapy (viral/non-viral based) programs across oncology and autoimmune indications • Drive translational strategy, portfolio prioritization, and stage-gating decisions in collaboration with discovery, clinical, regulatory, and CMC leadership • Established external research capabilities through strategic CRO and academic partnerships to accelerate pipeline execution

• Led IND-enabling nonclinical development and translational studies for next-generation CAR-T, CAR-NK, MSC, and exosome therapeutic platforms • Directed efficacy, biodistribution, safety, and persistence studies supporting oncology, autoimmune, hematology, degenerative disease, and regenerative medicine programs • Authored nonclinical IND sections and contributed to regulatory strategy for multiple cell therapy assets • Advanced innovative approaches including gene-edited MSC platforms and anti-thrombotic cell therapy strategies

• Developed next generation allogeneic cell therapies for oncology, hematology, autoimmune and degenerative diseases • Ensured success of nonclinical programs through interaction with internal project managers, regulatory & quality assurance experts as well as external collaborators & CROs • Authored & published R&D of MSC, CAR-NK & exosome-based therapeutics

• Established strategic collaborations and expanded translational research partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients • Co-developed novel preclinical models supporting immuno-oncology and translational research programs for industrial and academic partners

• Expanded company’s service capabilities by co-developing new models for clients Engaged, developed and initiated POC & IND-enabling nonclinical studies for clients • Achieved 170% of annual revenue goal within three quarters • Presented immunotherapy & preclinical models of cancers as an invited lecture

• Designed & completed PK studies in rodents to support small-molecular drug development • Coordinated with CROs for PK studies using humanized mouse & cynomolgus monkey models • Established in vitro & ex vivo assays using lung epithelial lining fluid & macrophages

• Managed & completed PK/PD, pharmacology studies using murine models of cancers as Study Director • Generated & delivered interim project updates & final study reports to clients • Developed new syngeneic mouse models to recapitulate immune-oncology for clients

Research Scientist (2013-present), Dr. Benita Katzenellenbogen’s lab • Led research investigating the impacts of antiestrogen compounds on immunophenotyping of breast tumor microenvironment with syngeneic tumor models • Authored & published research developing novel compounds treating breast cancers driven by mutant ER with cell-based assays & mouse models of cancer • Authored & published research developing small-molecule compounds treating endometriosis, a common women’s disorder, using cell-based assays & murine models

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2008-2013), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Authored & published research establishing Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) & Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) as novel therapeutic targets of endometriosis • Authored & published research identifying PHB2 as a key regulatory protein controlling uterine differentiation for optimal fertility with genetically engineered mouse models

• Identified polyamine synthesis related enzymes are essential for establishing a suitable environment for embryo implantation.