QS-21 Forum

Prof. Simon Draper

Prof. Simon Draper is Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford. 

The Draper Lab study vaccine-induced immunity, with a particular focus on antibody immunology and human malaria infection. A critical strength of the group is a strong dual focus on preclinical vaccine development in parallel with early-phase clinical vaccine testing and experimental medicine studies.

Prof. Yuhong Xu

Professor Xu teaches at Dali University. From 2000 to 2019, she served as a professor at the School of Pharmacy at Shanghai Jiaotong University, where she led multiple natural science foundations, including 863 projects, and new drug development projects. She worked as a senior researcher at Merck Vaccine Formulations in the United States. She also served as the Director of Translational Medicine at GSK Shanghai R&D Center. Since 2017, she has been the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hangzhou Gaotian Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Damian Hiley

Since joining Desert King in 2012, Damian Hiley has played a crucial role in revolutionizing QS21 Vaccine adjuvants, leading to the pivotal launch of GMP QS21 in 2017. His work underpinned all commercially available vaccines with AS01 or Matrix M, Damian has spearheaded the company’s commitment to responsible forestry practices and the development of clonal plantations. Holding an MBA, Damian’s dedication is for both environmental stewardship and medical progress. 

Dr. Hao Wang

Dr. Hao Wang is the CEO of vuRoyal Pharmaceuticals.  He received his Ph.D. from MIT and MPA from Harvard University.  Previously, Dr. Wang served as the vice president of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York, and the chief information officer of the State University of New York. Hao was a partner/managing director of Accenture, a global 500 company, and served as vice president of Accenture China, leading Accenture's healthcare practice in Greater China. He had also served as deputy commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health. A graduate from Peking University, Dr. Wang served as an adjunct professor in several leading research universities such as Columbia University, Tsinghua University, University at Albany, and Xian Jiaotong University. 

Dr. Dexiang Chen

Dr. Dexiang Chen is the general manager and the chiarman of the board of Chengdu Maxvax Biotechnologies.  Dr. Chen received his PhD in immunology from Mississippi State University in the United States. Before returning to China, he worked in vaccine and adjuvant development at Pfizer, Novartis, and PATH international health institutions in the United States for more than 20 years. He has presided over or participated in the development of more than 20 vaccines, many of which have been launched globally.