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I am delighted to share that I am joining Ailux as Chief Scientific Officer. My passion has always been translating science into the clinic and ultimately delivering medicines to patients with unmet need. I’m excited to be joining Ailux at such an important stage in its journey, and several aspects of the company particularly stand out to me. First, the strength of the research team in China, combined with a truly geo-optimized model — bringing together the speed and innovation of early discovery in China with deep expertise in disease biology and clinical development in the West. Very few companies are intentionally built from the outset to execute this model well. Second, the company’s pragmatic approach to AI strongly resonates with me. The focus is not on technology for its own sake, but on how AI—when tightly integrated with experimental (“wet lab”) science—can meaningfully improve outcomes, and in some cases enable what would not otherwise be possible. What is particularly compelling is the discipline behind this approach: a clear recognition that AI’s impact is context-dependent, and a commitment to rigorous validation against real experimental data. More broadly, I am inspired by the ambition to build a durable, independent biopharma company—one that advances programs all the way to patients. That long-term orientation, combined with the depth of scientific thinking underpinning the platform, makes this a uniquely exciting moment to join. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible colleagues at AstraZeneca, where I have spent nearly nine years. It has been a defining chapter of my career. I am deeply grateful for the guidance, collaboration, and friendship across the organization. A special thank you to the senior leaders who supported and trusted my judgment, and to my team and cross-functional partners who helped build a truly industry-leading portfolio. I am confident that what we achieved together will ultimately make a meaningful difference for patients living with serious respiratory and immunology diseases. I look forward to this next chapter.
We're excited to welcome Prof. Maria Belvisi to Ailux as our Chief Scientific Officer! Prof. Belvisi joins us from AstraZeneca, where she served as SVP of Research & Development, Respiratory & Immunology, and built one of the most productive early R&D organizations in global pharma. She will lead Ailux's scientific strategy and new program development, and will establish and lead a UK research site to complement Ailux's Shanghai research capabilities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eaAyARwQ ailuxbio.com