Chaofeng Liu

Chaofeng Liu’s passion for understanding complex systems began early in life, rooted in his fascination with patterns and data. Born in Beijing, China, he pursued this interest by earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Probability and Statistics from Peking University, one of China’s most prestigious academic institutions. His educational journey was marked by significant recognition, including the Outstanding Student Fellowship and Young Scientist Award, highlighting his dedication and leadership in his field.

While Chaofeng excelled in his studies, his true ambition was to use his statistical knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the world, particularly in healthcare. With this goal in mind, he moved to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Biostatistics at UCLA. He later expanded his skill set with an Executive MBA from Purdue University, gaining valuable insights into the business aspects of healthcare. This combination of technical and strategic expertise prepared him for a career that would bridge the gap between data science and real-world applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Over the past 22 years, Chaofeng has built an extensive career in the pharmaceutical sector, contributing to various therapeutic areas, from oncology to neuroscience. He began his career at Eli Lilly, quickly gaining recognition for his innovative approach to statistical methods and his leadership in clinical development. His success at Eli Lilly led to senior roles at major pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, PAREXEL, and Astellas Pharmaceuticals. In each role, he demonstrated his ability to lead teams, develop effective strategies, and navigate the complexities of drug development.

A standout achievement in Chaofeng’s career occurred at Astellas, where he played a pivotal role in developing Gilteritinib, a targeted therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He led the team from the early stages of clinical trials to the FDA’s Accelerated Approval, making significant contributions to treating AML. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the drug through regulatory approvals from the FDA, PMDA, and EMA, marking an important milestone in cancer treatment.