Zhi Hong
About Zhi Hong
Executive Leadership at Brii Biosciences
Zhi Hong co-founded Brii Biosciences in 2018 and currently holds the positions of Executive Director, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Brii Biosciences focuses on accelerating the development and access to innovative medicines for patients in China and globally. His strategic vision has driven the company’s initiatives in numerous therapeutic areas.
Experience at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Zhi Hong served as Senior Vice President and Head of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Infectious Diseases Therapy Area Unit. He played a crucial role in GSK's resurgence in anti-HIV, anti-HBV, and antibiotics medicine discovery and development. Notably, his efforts led to the approval of pivotal medicines such as Tivicay, Triumeq, Cabenuva, and Apretude at ViiV Healthcare. He also led the development of gepotidacin, a gram-negative antibiotic, and bepirovirsen, an anti-HBV compound, to late-stage development.
Contributions to ViiV Healthcare
At ViiV Healthcare, Zhi Hong played a significant role in the approval of essential treatments including Tivicay, Triumeq, Cabenuva, and Apretude. His work has had a notable impact on the treatment landscape for HIV and other infectious diseases, reflecting his commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative drug development.
Public Health Advocacy and Partnerships
Zhi Hong is an advocate for public health and has helped establish multiple public-private partnerships with U.S./EU governments and philanthropic organizations. His efforts have aimed at enhancing collaborative approaches to drug discovery and development, thereby accelerating the availability of critical medicines to broader populations.
Career Foundation and Leadership Roles
Zhi Hong's career in drug discovery and development spans over 25 years. He started Ardea Biosciences, which was later acquired by AstraZeneca. Prior to his work at GSK and Brii Biosciences, he held leadership positions at Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Schering-Plough Research Institute (now Merck). Throughout his career, he has brought more than 40 compounds into development, many of which have gained approval and been launched in the market.