Meet Xinyi from Roche, Shanghai
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Xinyi Huang. I like running and hiking. I was born and raised in China. I went to the United States for my graduate study after completing my bachelor degree in China. I returned to work in China after 18 years of studying and working in the US. I joined Roche Shanghai in 2015.
What is your current role and how long have you been in it?
I joined Roche in 2015 and have been in the role as the Head of Lead Discovery for 5 years. From May 2022, my role was expanded to Head of Lead Discovery and Antibody Discovery.
What is your expertise or research field area?
I am a biochemist by training. Lead Discovery and Antibody Discovery support CICoR portfolio projects in Immunology and Oncology. Lead Discovery is a cross-modality discovery function that enables the CICoR early portfolio, by driving the discovery of high quality small molecule and antibody therapeutic leads. Lead Discovery employs a plethora of advanced tools and technologies to drive assay development, compound logistics, screening, target engagement, protein science, biophysics and structure biology. Antibody Discovery is a new scientific function at CICoR that comprises the engineering, discovery and CMC development of antibody therapeutics.
I joined Roche in 2015 and have been in the role as the Head of Lead Discovery for 5 years. From May 2022, my role was expanded to Head of Lead Discovery and Antibody Discovery.
What is your expertise or research field area?
I am a biochemist by training. Lead Discovery and Antibody Discovery support CICoR portfolio projects in Immunology and Oncology. Lead Discovery is a cross-modality discovery function that enables the CICoR early portfolio, by driving the discovery of high quality small molecule and antibody therapeutic leads. Lead Discovery employs a plethora of advanced tools and technologies to drive assay development, compound logistics, screening, target engagement, protein science, biophysics and structure biology. Antibody Discovery is a new scientific function at CICoR that comprises the engineering, discovery and CMC development of antibody therapeutics.
What made you decide to work in another country?
I returned to work in China in 2010 after 10 years of working in the US in one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies. My decision to return to China was largely driven by two major factors: 1) the rapidly improving China macro environment for drug R&D, which in turn demands an influx of experienced drug hunters with oversea experience, and 2) the potential opportunity to expand my scope, from a discovery scientist to a discovery leader with responsibilities ranging from scientific leadership, to team building, and finally to strategy and business development.
What do you think is China’s potential opportunity within R&D?
China is rapidly becoming one of the important players in the world in biopharmaceutical R&D and academic research in the bioscience runway. Along with the booming biotech industry, there are many opportunities for candidates in discovery, development, and clinical areas. R&D positions in Roche are in my personal opinion premier career opportunities for job seekers who return from overseas.
How do you perceive the work environment in Roche to be in terms of agility?
I very much appreciate the Roche culture of agility. At Roche, agility is not a buzzword, instead it is a way of life. At Roche, every colleague is encouraged to define your own development path and your breakthrough commitments. The company is genuinely interested in your development, whether related to deep expertise in your area, or wide knowledge outside your forte, or leadership and collaboration skills, to which they offer a variety of resources and programs such as courses, mentoring, coaching and rotations to support your ambitions.
I returned to work in China in 2010 after 10 years of working in the US in one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies. My decision to return to China was largely driven by two major factors: 1) the rapidly improving China macro environment for drug R&D, which in turn demands an influx of experienced drug hunters with oversea experience, and 2) the potential opportunity to expand my scope, from a discovery scientist to a discovery leader with responsibilities ranging from scientific leadership, to team building, and finally to strategy and business development.
What do you think is China’s potential opportunity within R&D?
China is rapidly becoming one of the important players in the world in biopharmaceutical R&D and academic research in the bioscience runway. Along with the booming biotech industry, there are many opportunities for candidates in discovery, development, and clinical areas. R&D positions in Roche are in my personal opinion premier career opportunities for job seekers who return from overseas.
How do you perceive the work environment in Roche to be in terms of agility?
I very much appreciate the Roche culture of agility. At Roche, agility is not a buzzword, instead it is a way of life. At Roche, every colleague is encouraged to define your own development path and your breakthrough commitments. The company is genuinely interested in your development, whether related to deep expertise in your area, or wide knowledge outside your forte, or leadership and collaboration skills, to which they offer a variety of resources and programs such as courses, mentoring, coaching and rotations to support your ambitions.