Working Life: MedImmune’s Dr Bing Yao
pharmafile | October 20, 2014 | Feature | Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | MedImmune, Working Life, bing yao
How did you find your way into your current role?
When I was pursuing my doctorate in microbiology and immunology, I became intrigued by the research being done to explore problems and solve the unknown.
I knew I wanted to join a team that was not only engaging in great science, but was also developing medicines to change patients’ lives. In order to best combine those two goals, I chose a path within the industry and joined my first biotech company to do postdoctoral work.
I have remained in the biotech industry ever since – more than 20 years to date – and am now currently in charge of innovative medicine for respiratory, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases at MedImmune. I lead a cross-functional team dedicated to developing potential new therapies for diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, severe asthma and COPD.
How is your field changing?
There’s greater focus on genetic biomarkers and developing therapies that can be targeted to specific patients. For example, within the respiratory and inflammatory diseases, there are many different sub-phenotypes to be explored.
Our field of research has been transitioning from just simply treating patients and their symptoms, to really understanding an individual’s disease in order to develop compounds for specific molecular subtypes. By doing this, we can target certain patient groups and hopefully identify which patients may respond best to treatments before they even start therapy.
This type of research has facilitated a move towards personalised, targeted medicine that will hopefully optimise the effectiveness of treatment options and improve outcomes for specific populations in need.
What are the most enjoyable things about your role?
This one is easy to answer. As we’re all aware, drug development is a long and not always successful process, but successfully taking a new drug through its clinical studies and towards registration for patients in need is very rewarding.
It’s incredible to see years of research and hard work translate into new discoveries and meaningful medicines. Biologics are improving patients’ lives, and I am proud of all the progress being made in this area.
And the least enjoyable?
In science, you spend a lot of time dealing with the unknown, and, unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, a molecule that seemed promising in early research often doesn’t prove to be successful in clinical trials. Every failure in research is a learning experience that we look to capitalise on as we explore future development ideas and opportunities.
What are the most common misconceptions about your field and the people in it?
I feel that a big perception of pharmaceutical and biotech companies is that they are solely profit driven. In truth, most people within these companies share a passion to create medicines for patients in need, as we all have family members who are patients and may ultimately be a patient one day.
We are working hard to advance our research and understanding of science so new therapies and treatments can be developed. We are here to make a difference.
Is there someone in your field who has inspired you or from whom you have learnt a lot?
I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with many inspiring people at some of the best companies in the industry – Amgen, Genentech and now MedImmune.
At each company, I tried to learn as much as I could, and each one taught me a new and different aspect of scientific research and drug development. It is a combination of those companies and the people I have worked with that has deepened my understanding of this complex industry and brought me to where I am today.
Similarly, is there someone (or something) outside your field who has been a source of inspiration for you?
I am inspired by people and companies that prioritise innovation and the pursuit of new ideas based on smart intelligence and rationale.
Some of the most innovative companies in the world – Apple and Google, for example – really explore the needs of their customers and try to understand what type of creative solution will best suit them. Companies who focus on people and innovation are those that I look up to. We can translate that philosophy into success for biologics development.
What is the secret to a happy working life?
I enjoy what I do. The opportunity to do great science and translate it into medicine inspires me and makes very happy. I would like to think and stay positive. Not everything is going to work out as we expected. If it does not, there is always learnings and we can apply those learnings and move on to the next opportunity.
Another aspect to a happy working life is dependent on maintaining a balanced working life – it is important to be involved in your larger community and pursue interests outside the office walls.
At work, the opportunity to join colleagues that share a similar work ethic and philosophy as yours, and who are as equally excited about the work you are doing together – whatever that may be – makes your job more enjoyable and easier.
If you had advice for anyone starting out in your field now, what would it be?
There are three pieces of advice that come to mind. The first is to do something you love and are passionate about. Developing medicines and having the chance to change lives brings me great joy on a daily basis and reassures me that what I am doing makes a true difference at the end of each day.
The second thing is to take calculated risks based on your passion. I moved into the biotech industry during a time when such careers were perceived as very risky, but I knew it was what I wanted to do.
Third, learn as much as you can at each different job you have, and be willing and ready to expand your role as much as you can. Every experience will teach you something valuable.
Career biography
Dr Zhengbin (Bing) Yao leads a cross-functional team that concentrate on the therapeutic area strategy, prioritisation and advancement of MedImmune’s RIA portfolio.
Yao joined MedImmune in 2010 as senior vice president of research and development and head of the RIA iMED. He initiated the MEDI-Wuxi joint venture and he currently serves on its Joint Development Committee. He also co-chairs the MedI/AstraZeneca- Amgen collaboration.
Bing is credited with the discovery of human interleukin 17 and interleukin 17 receptor. His work on interleukin 17 has been selected as a ‘Pillar of Immunology’ by a panel of world-renowned immunologists on behalf of the American Association of Immunologists.
An accomplished executive and scientist with more than 18 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, Yao most recently led the project team leaders (PTL) group for immunology, neurosciences, virology and metabolism for Genentech.
He previously served as VP of Research, acting head of clinical and Corporate Officer for Tanox and held other roles at Aventis and Amgen.
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