We have built a team with deep expertise in ADC development.
Hui Li, Ph.D
President and CEO
Hui Li, Ph.D. is President and CEO of Adcentrx Therapeutics. Dr. Li has over 20 years of drug discovery and business development experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Prior to founding Adcentrx in 2021, he was the CEO of Levena Biopharma, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, focusing on antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development. He also served as SVP of Business Development and General Manager of China Operations at Sorrento Therapeutics. During his time at Levena, he was responsible for developing a portfolio of site-specific ADC products and establishing a GMP production site to support clinical development of both internal and external ADC programs. Before Levena, he served as Executive Director of Business Development at PPD and Head of Business Development at its pre-clinical division BioDuro. Prior to joining PPD, he spent 10 years at Pfizer Global Research & Development, where he led several programs in the areas of oncology, diabetes, antiviral, and ophthalmology, which successfully progressed into clinical development. Dr. Li received his B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of California, San Diego.
Hui Li, Ph.D
Founder, President & CEO
Hui Li, Ph.D
President and CEO
Hui Li, Ph.D. is President and CEO of Adcentrx Therapeutics. Dr. Li has over 20 years of drug discovery and business development experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Prior to founding Adcentrx in 2021, he was the CEO of Levena Biopharma, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, focusing on antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development. He also served as SVP of Business Development and General Manager of China Operations at Sorrento Therapeutics. During his time at Levena, he was responsible for developing a portfolio of site-specific ADC products and establishing a GMP production site to support clinical development of both internal and external ADC programs. Before Levena, he served as Executive Director of Business Development at PPD and Head of Business Development at its pre-clinical division BioDuro.
Prior to joining PPD, he spent 10 years at Pfizer Global Research & Development, where he led several programs in the areas of oncology, diabetes, antiviral, and ophthalmology, which successfully progressed into clinical development.
Dr. Li received his B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of California, San Diego.
Pia Challita-Eid, Ph.D
Chief Scientific Officer
Pia Challita-Eid, Ph.D. is Chief Scientific Officer at Adcentrx Therapeutics and serves as the Head of Research. She brings over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, contributing to the discovery and progression into the clinic of over 12 drug candidates including the FDA-approved product Padcev™. Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, she served as Vice President, ADC Research at Levena Biopharm, a Sorrento Therapeutics company, where she led the preclinical ADC pipeline. Previously, she held various positions with increasing responsibilities at Agensys Inc., an affiliate of Astellas Pharmaceuticals Inc., supporting the company’s pipeline portfolio including ADCs and Immuno-oncology candidates. She led the molecular oncology initiatives, target identification and selection, therapeutic antibody discovery and engineering activities. Dr. Challita-Eid began her career in academia as a faculty member at the University of Rochester Cancer Center focusing on cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Challita-Eid received her B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the American University of Beirut, and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Southern California. She conducted her post-doctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Pia Challita-Eid, Ph.D
Chief Scientific Officer
Pia Challita-Eid, Ph.D
Chief Scientific Officer
Pia Challita-Eid, Ph.D. is Chief Scientific Officer at Adcentrx Therapeutics and serves as the Head of Research. She brings over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, contributing to the discovery and progression into the clinic of over 12 drug candidates including the FDA-approved product Padcev™.
Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, she served as Vice President, ADC Research at Levena Biopharm, a Sorrento Therapeutics company, where she led the preclinical ADC pipeline. Previously, she held various positions with increasing responsibilities at Agensys Inc., an affiliate of Astellas Pharmaceuticals Inc., supporting the company’s pipeline portfolio including ADCs and Immuno-oncology candidates. She led the molecular oncology initiatives, target identification and selection, therapeutic antibody discovery and engineering activities. Dr. Challita-Eid began her career in academia as a faculty member at the University of Rochester Cancer Center focusing on cancer immunotherapy.
Dr. Challita-Eid received her B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the American University of Beirut, and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Southern California. She conducted her post-doctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Meng Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Meng Jiang joined Adcentrx as Chief Financial Officer in March 2024. Ms. Jiang has over 20 years of finance, investment banking and M&A experience.
Prior to joining Adcentrx, Ms. Jiang served as Senior Managing Director and most recently as Head of Venture at CBC Group, which she co-founded and where she led the incubation of Adcentrx and number of other companies while leading CBC’s therapeutics investments. Prior to CBC Group, Ms. Jiang held additional roles at Far East Horizon’s Investments Group, ARC China, BDA and UBS Investment Bank in New York.
Ms. Jiang graduated with Honors in Economics and Political Science from Wellesley College.
Meng Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Meng Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Meng Jiang joined Adcentrx as Chief Financial Officer in March 2024. Ms. Jiang has over 20 years of finance, investment banking and M&A experience.
Prior to joining Adcentrx, Ms. Jiang served as Senior Managing Director and most recently as Head of Venture at CBC Group, which she co-founded and where she led the incubation of Adcentrx and number of other companies while leading CBC’s therapeutics investments. Prior to CBC Group, Ms. Jiang held additional roles at Far East Horizon’s Investments Group, ARC China, BDA and UBS Investment Bank in New York.
Ms. Jiang graduated with Honors in Economics and Political Science from Wellesley College.
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD
Senior Vice President, Clinical Development
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD is a medical oncologist with a unique blend of 10 years of clinical and 18 years of industry experience in oncology drug development. Her perspective and contributions led to approvals and label expansions for Kyprolis and Breyanzi.
Dr. Gillenwater has a proven track record of leadership, having held key positions at BioNTech, Lyell Immunopharma, and Juno/BMS. Her leadership was instrumental in the development of cell and gene therapy programs at these organizations. Her work at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, where she led a global randomized trial in multiple myeloma, led to the label expansion of Kyprolis for that indication. She began her career in academics focused on the clinical care of patients and development of clinical trials for patients with thoracic malignancies.
Dr. Gillenwater received her BS in Biomedical Sciences from Montana State University and her MD from the University of Washington.
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD
Senior Vice President, Clinical Development
Hui Li, Ph.D
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD is a medical oncologist with a unique blend of 10 years of clinical and 18 years of industry experience in oncology drug development. Her perspective and contributions led to approvals and label expansions for Kyprolis and Breyanzi.
Dr. Gillenwater has a proven track record of leadership, having held key positions at BioNTech, Lyell Immunopharma, and Juno/BMS. Her leadership was instrumental in the development of cell and gene therapy programs at these organizations. Her work at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, where she led a global randomized trial in multiple myeloma, led to the label expansion of Kyprolis for that indication. She began her career in academics focused on the clinical care of patients and development of clinical trials for patients with thoracic malignancies.
Dr. Gillenwater received her BS in Biomedical Sciences from Montana State University and her MD from the University of Washington.
Joseph Shan, M.P.H.
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Joseph Shan, M.P.H. joined Adcentrx as Vice President, Clinical Operations in December 2023. Mr. Shan has close to 30 years of clinical experience in biopharma and medical device companies. Nearly 25 years were focused on clinical development of oncology therapeutics, including radiopharmaceuticals, small molecules, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and cellular therapy. Prior to joining Adcentrx, Mr. Shan served as Executive Director, Clinical Development Operations and Data Management at MEI Pharma, where he oversaw early phase clinical studies of a CDK9 inhibitor in AML and B-cell malignancies and a mitochondrial inhibitor in colorectal cancer. Before MEI Pharma, he held leadership roles at Elevar Therapeutics, Kiadis Pharma (formerly CytoSen Therapeutics) and was VP, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs and a corporate officer of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals for nearly a decade, spearheading development of bavituximab (a novel phosphatidylserine-targeting monoclonal antibody for treatment of solid tumors) from pre-clinical through Phase 3. Mr. Shan received his M.P.H. degree, with emphasis in Epidemiology from George Washington University in Washington D.C. and a B.S. degree in Physiological Sciences from University of California, Los Angeles.
Joseph Shan, M.P.H.
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Joseph Shan, M.P.H.
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Joseph Shan, M.P.H. joined Adcentrx as Vice President, Clinical Operations in December 2023. Mr. Shan has close to 30 years of clinical experience in biopharma and medical device companies. Nearly 25 years were focused on clinical development of oncology therapeutics, including radiopharmaceuticals, small molecules, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and cellular therapy. Prior to joining Adcentrx, Mr. Shan served as Executive Director, Clinical Development Operations and Data Management at MEI Pharma, where he oversaw early phase clinical studies of a CDK9 inhibitor in AML and B-cell malignancies and a mitochondrial inhibitor in colorectal cancer. Before MEI Pharma, he held leadership roles at Elevar Therapeutics, Kiadis Pharma (formerly CytoSen Therapeutics) and was VP, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs and a corporate officer of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals for nearly a decade, spearheading development of bavituximab (a novel phosphatidylserine-targeting monoclonal antibody for treatment of solid tumors) from pre-clinical through Phase 3. Mr. Shan received his M.P.H. degree, with emphasis in Epidemiology from George Washington University in Washington D.C. and a B.S. degree in Physiological Sciences from University of California, Los Angeles.
Maojun Guo, Ph.D
Senior Vice President, Research
Maojun Guo, Ph.D. is Senior Vice President, Research at Adcentrx Therapeutics. Dr. Guo has more than 25 years of drug development experience across both academia and industry.
Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, Dr. Guo held Vice President positions at Gear Pharma, Levena Biopharma and Shanghai Alputon PharmTech where he was responsible for the chemistry of internal and external projects, which included discovery, IND-enabling CMC work, GMP production and ADC platform development. Dr. Guo has also held roles at Lundbeck, ArQule and Hybridon where he participated in programs in the areas of antisense oligonucleotides, combinatorial chemistry, and CNS, and was involved with Lundbeck’s major depressive disorder Trintellix/Brintellix (vortioxetine) program that successfully launched in 2013. Before entering the BioPharma industry, Dr. Guo was a researcher at Sheffield University and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge University.
Dr. Guo earned his B.S. in Analytical Chemistry from Wuhan University and his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Peking University Medical School.
Maojun Guo, Ph.D
Senior Vice President, Research
Maojun Guo, Ph.D
Senior Vice President, Research
Maojun Guo, Ph.D. is Senior Vice President, Research at Adcentrx Therapeutics. Dr. Guo has more than 25 years of drug development experience across both academia and industry. Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, Dr. Guo held Vice President positions at Gear Pharma, Levena Biopharma and Shanghai Alputon PharmTech where he was responsible for the chemistry of internal and external projects, which included discovery, IND-enabling CMC work, GMP production and ADC platform development. Dr. Guo has also held roles at Lundbeck, ArQule and Hybridon where he participated in programs in the areas of antisense oligonucleotides, combinatorial chemistry, and CNS, and was involved with Lundbeck’s major depressive disorder Trintellix/Brintellix (vortioxetine) program that successfully launched in 2013. Before entering the BioPharma industry, Dr. Guo was a researcher at Sheffield University and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge University. Dr. Guo earned his B.S. in Analytical Chemistry from Wuhan University and his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Peking University Medical School.
Alex Chu-Kung, Ph.D
Vice President, CMC
Alexander Chu-Kung, Ph.D. is Vice President, CMC and the head of development at Adcentrx Therapeutics. Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, Dr. Chu-Kung was the Senior Director of Development at Levena Biopharma, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics where he was responsible for all aspects of process development, cGMP manufacturing and clinical supply of the antibody drug conjugate pipeline.
Before joining Levena Biopharma, Dr. Chu-Kung spent more than decade at AbbVie, most recently as a principal scientist. In this role he oversaw process development, tech transfer, CMO interaction and scale-up for both small molecule and biologic therapeutics.
Dr. Chu-Kung holds a Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara and a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University.
Alex Chu-Kung, Ph.D
Vice President, CMC
Alex Chu-Kung, Ph.D
Vice President, CMC
Alexander Chu-Kung, Ph.D. is Vice President, CMC and the head of development at Adcentrx Therapeutics. Prior to joining Adcentrx in 2021, Dr. Chu-Kung was the Senior Director of Development at Levena Biopharma, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics where he was responsible for all aspects of process development, cGMP manufacturing and clinical supply of the antibody drug conjugate pipeline. Before joining Levena Biopharma, Dr. Chu-Kung spent more than decade at AbbVie, most recently as a principal scientist. In this role he oversaw process development, tech transfer, CMO interaction and scale-up for both small molecule and biologic therapeutics. Dr. Chu-Kung holds a Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara and a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University.
Maggie Li, MRS, MHA, RAC
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
Maggie Li joined Adcentrx as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs in January 2025. Ms. Li brings over 20 years of extensive global regulatory experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and has held a U.S. Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) since 2008. Throughout her career, she has contributed to numerous key regulatory milestones supporting the development and approval of innovative antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) programs, including Adcetris® and Padcev® (U.S. FDA-approved) and Meiyouheng® (China NMPA-approved).
Before joining Adcentrx, Ms. Li served as Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Shanghai Miracogen, a Lepu Biopharma company, where she led the regulatory team overseeing ADC targeted therapies (e.g., EGFR, HER2, CLDN18.2, and CD20) and successfully advanced multiple global clinical and pivotal trial submissions, as well as marketing registrations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Li held positions of increasing responsibility at Acucela, Seattle Genetics, and Cell Therapeutics, where she managed global regulatory strategies across the product lifecycle—from pre-IND development through IND, BLA/NDA submissions, and post-approval activities.
Ms. Li earned a Master of Regulatory Science from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Washington, and a B.S. in Chemical Pharmaceuticals from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University.
Maggie Li, MRS, MHA, RAC
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
Maggie Li, MRS, MHA, RAC
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
Maggie Li joined Adcentrx as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs in January 2025. Ms. Li brings over 20 years of extensive global regulatory experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and has held a U.S. Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) since 2008. Throughout her career, she has contributed to numerous key regulatory milestones supporting the development and approval of innovative antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) programs, including Adcetris® and Padcev® (U.S. FDA-approved) and Meiyouheng® (China NMPA-approved).
Before joining Adcentrx, Ms. Li served as Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Shanghai Miracogen, a Lepu Biopharma company, where she led the regulatory team overseeing ADC targeted therapies (e.g., EGFR, HER2, CLDN18.2, and CD20) and successfully advanced multiple global clinical and pivotal trial submissions, as well as marketing registrations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Li held positions of increasing responsibility at Acucela, Seattle Genetics, and Cell Therapeutics, where she managed global regulatory strategies across the product lifecycle—from pre-IND development through IND, BLA/NDA submissions, and post-approval activities.
Ms. Li earned a Master of Regulatory Science from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Washington, and a B.S. in Chemical Pharmaceuticals from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University.