Derek Yuan

Venrock @ Candid Therapeutics

About

Currently, I am the General Manager of China for Candid Therapeutics, a company focused on T-cell engagers for autoimmune disease. In May of 2026, UCB announced the acquisition of Candid for $2B upfront + $200M in milestones. My other recent achievements revolve around orchestrating several China-US deals, including the licensing of WuXi Biologics’ ADC portfolio to Aadi Bioscience (now Whitehawk) concurrent with a $100M PIPE, as well as closing a trispecific T-cell engager deal with Candid Therapeutics. Through my career in the biotechnology industry, I have built up a comprehensive skill set on the sell side, buy side, business development and senior management operational roles in the US and Asia. I also have played pivotal roles in raising over $1.5B in institutional capital on both sides of the Pacific.

Country

City

United States

Industry

Biotechnology

Skill

Valuation, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Strategy, Investment Banking, Investments, Equity Research, Finance, Financial Analysis, Analysis, Private Equity

Experience

General Manager, China

Candid Therapeutics

2025 - Present · 1 yr

• Established cross-functional China subsidiary to drive majority of clinical trials for Candid • Spearheaded efforts in China to advance assets from autoimmune FIH to initiation of Phase 2 • Reported to CEO and partnered with Candid US to ensure coordination globally • Raised $370M Series B in September 2024 with licensing of two clinical stage T-cell engagers • Acquired by UCB in May 2026 for $2B upfront and $200M of milestones

Founder

Prescient Advisory

2024 - Present · 2 yrs

• Sourced, negotiated, and led efforts on Aadi's (now Whitehawk) licensing of ADC portfolio (PTK7, SEZ6, MUC16) from WuXi Biologics ($44M upfront), concurrent with a $100M PIPE from Ally Bridge, Orbimed, Avoro and other institutional investors, and divestment of FYARRO® in December 2024 • Negotiated Candid Therapeutics’ licensing of CND319, a CD3x19x20 T-cell engager from WuXi Biologics in January 2025

Strategic Advisor

Foresite Capital

2024 - Present · 2 yrs

Head of Business Development

PharmaEssentia

2022 - 2024 · 2 yrs

• Responsible for all company’s (6446.TW) external collaborations, including all in/out-licensing • Piloted sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and closing of all business development opportunities • Played pivotal role in external fundraising, including global $463M GDR offering in April 2023; the largest healthcare offering globally in 2023

Executive Director, Corporate Development

Zai Lab

2018 - 2022 · 4 yrs

• Recruited as one of the initial members of the Zai Lab US office, directly reporting to the President/COO • Drove sourcing and evaluation of potential deals through deep coverage of the global biotechnology landscape • Led and closed 7 global and regional deals totaling over $2.3B of deal value • Formulated impactful investment relations strategy and attracted new institutional investors

Portfolio Manager

QUAD Investment Management

2016 - 2018 · 2 yrs

• Global long/short biotechnology equities portfolio management with a focus on US biotechnology

Associate Director, Business Development

PharmaEssentia

2014 - 2016 · 2 yrs

• Joined the 100+ employee company as a senior level member • Negotiated and evaluated business development opportunities for BESREMi®, which received FDA approval in 2021 • Facilitated initial listing on the GreTai Securities Market Emerging Stock Board at a $1.3B valuation in 1Q14 • Prepared the company for an offering of $23M in 1Q16 • Primed the company for $106M IPO ($1.4B valuation) on the GreTai Securities Market General Stock Board in 3Q16