Cullgen is a biopharmaceutical company that has developed protein degradation technology that utilizes the body's own natural protein disposal system to selectively and efficiently degrade and remove disease-causing proteins.

Biotechnology

Cullgen

Jim Na has worked for several companies over the years, beginning with Pfizer (formerly Agouron Pharmaceuticals) in 1997, where they were a Research Scientist. In 1999, they moved to Pfizer, Inc. as a Principle Scientist. In 2011, they began working for Dart Neuroscience as a Scientist II. In 2016, they were promoted to Scientist III at Dart Neurosciences. In 2018, they became a Consultant. In 2019, they began working as a Contractor for Janssen Inc. and, most recently, in 2021, they became the Director of Computational Chemistry for Cullgen Inc.

Jim Na completed their Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Southern California from 1995 to 1997, under the advisement of Arieh Warshel, Nobel Prize Winner 2013. Jim then went on to earn their Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1995, where they studied Computational Chemistry under the advisement of Ken Houk. Prior to this, Jim Na earned an Advanced Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Occidental College in 1989.

Jim Na

Dave McLennan has a long and varied work experience. Dave began their career in 2006 as an Audit Associate at CBIZ MHM, LLC. In 2007, they moved to Deloitte as an Audit Senior. In 2010, they became an Accounting Manager at REMEC Broadband Wireless. In 2011, they moved to BeyondTrust as an Assistant Controller. In 2013, they became the Group Reporting Manager at Nixon. From 2015 to 2021, they worked at Travere Therapeutics, initially as an Associate Director of SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting, then as Director of SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting, and finally as Sr. Director of Technical Accounting and Strategic Finance. Dave currently works as a Controller at Cullgen Inc.

Dave McLennan obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo between 2003 and 2006. Dave also holds a CPA - Inactive certification.

Dave McLennan

Dr. Liu has over 10 years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. He received his PhD in organic chemistry from [Brigham Young University](/org/brigham-young-university) in 2007 and completed his post-doctoral training at the [University of Utah](/org/university-of-utah) in 2009. His PhD and postdoctoral research focused on natural product total synthesis. Dr. Liu started his medicinal chemistry career at the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at the [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/org/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill), where he contributed to the development of a series of first-in-class MERTK inhibitors, which led to an investigational drug in human clinical trials. In 2013, he joined [Glycan Therapeutics](/org/glycan-therapeutics) as a Principal Scientist. He was in charge of the chemoenzymatic synthesis of novel structure-defined low-molecular-weight heparin sulfate oligosaccharides. In 2014, he was recruited to the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as an assistant professor. His research work led to the discovery of multiple potent and selective methyltransferase inhibitors, GPCR modulators, and protein degraders. In 2018, Dr. Liu joined [Cullgen](/org/cullgen) and established its Medicinal Chemistry Department. Dr. Liu’s has published 39 peer-reviewed journal articles. He is also an inventor of 18 issued U.S. patents and published PCT patent applications.

Jing Liu

Michael Plewe is currently the SVP of Medicinal Chemistry at [Cullgen](/org/cullgen). Prior to that, they were the head of Chemistry at Arisan Therapeutics, Inc from January 2011 to December 2018. There, they set up a new laboratory and was responsible for the medicinal chemistry strategies for hit-to-lead campaigns, among other things. Michael also spent time at BioPharmaPM as a volunteer from January 2010 to December 2013. There, they were responsible for identifying and coordinating speakers and host sites for monthly Southern California breakfast meetings. In addition, they held positions as President/VP Education/VP Public Relations at [Toastmasters International](/org/toastmasters-international) from January 2010 to December 2015 and as an Associate Research Fellow at [Pfizer](/org/pfizer) from January 2000 to December 2010.

Michael Plewe received their Biotech Project Management Certificate from [UC San Diego](/org/uc-san-diego) and [University of Washington](/org/university-of-washington). Michael then went on to obtain their post doc in organic chemistry from UC Irvine. Finally, they received their Dr. rer. nat. in organic chemistry from University of Konstanz.

Michael Plewe works with Jialiang Wang - VP, Translational Medicine, Thomas Eastling - CFO, and Mark Deeg - EVP, Clinical Development. Michael Plewe reports to Ying Luo, Chairman & President. A direct report to Michael Plewe is and Jing Liu - VP, Medicinal Chemistry.

Michael Plewe

Yue Gu has worked in various roles since 2006. Yue began their career as a Staff at Starbucks China in 2006, followed by Senior Audit Assistant at Beijing Xinghua Certified Public Accountants in 2008. In 2010, they worked as an Internal Audit Consultant at New Oriental Education & Technology Group. Yue then moved on to Senior Consultant at EY in 2011, followed by Senior Internal Audit Manager at Perfect World Games in 2014. Yue then worked as Senior Manager at Perfect World Co., Ltd. in 2016, Manager at Tencent in 2018, and Financial Controller at Square Panda Inc. in 2018. Finally, they are currently working as Assistant Controller & International Director at Cullgen Inc. since 2022.

Yue Gu obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Capital University of Economics and Business between 2005 and 2009, majoring in Fiance and Taxation. Yue then obtained a Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University in 2022, majoring in Information System. Yue has also obtained several certifications, including a Junior Chef Certification for Chinese Cuisine from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau in 2019, Intellectual Property Protection from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau in 2017, Fund Qualification Certificate from the Asset Management Association of China in 2017, Certified Public Accountants (CPA) from The Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2016, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) from The Institue of Internal Auditors in 2014, Introduction to Data Science in Python from University of Michigan, and Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from University of Michigan.

Yue Gu

Dr. Robinson has over 15 years of experience developing and implementing IP strategies to protect pharmaceutical innovation. After obtaining her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2006, she joined the San Diego office of Morrison & Foerster LLP, where her practice focused on patent procurement and portfolio management. She was part of the firm’s venture IP practice, supporting clients making strategic investments in the biopharmaceutical industry. She moved in-house to Pfizer Inc. in 2010, where she assumed positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she was an Assistant General Counsel supporting the oncology research, development, and commercial organizations. In 2019, she obtained an LL.M. in health law from [Loyola University Chicago](/org/loyola-university-chicago) with a focus on compliance. Dr. Robinson obtained her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from [Indiana University](/org/indiana-university) and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of California Irvine. Prior to transitioning to law, she worked in drug discovery for more than 10 years, beginning her scientific career at Ciba (now [Novartis](/org/novartis)), before joining CombiChem Inc. She was promoted to Director of Medicinal Chemistry after the company’s acquisition by DuPont Pharmaceuticals (now Bristol Myers Squibb) and remained in that role following the spin-out to Deltagen Pharmaceuticals.

Leslie Robinson

Beverly S. Mitchell, MD, is the former Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute and is the George E. Becker Professor of Medicine at [Stanford University](/org/stanford). Before joining the Stanford faculty, Dr. Mitchell lead the Molecular Therapeutics Program at UNC-Chapel Hill's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she also served as Associate Director for Translational Research and Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology. She has authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles. She served as President of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and was Chair of the Medical and Scientific Affairs Committee and Vice-Chair for Medical and Scientific Affairs of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America. Dr. Mitchell's current research relates to the development of new therapies for hematologic malignancies. She is interested in preclinical proof of principle studies on mechanisms inducing cell death and on metabolic targets involving nucleic acid biosynthesis in malignant cells. Recent studies have focused on the role of nucleolar proteins in cellular stress responses, including that induced by reactive oxygen species. She is also interested in the regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and in the role of dysregulated synthesis in bone marrow failure syndromes. in addition, her laboratory is involved in the translation of these studies into scientifically designed clinical trials.

Beverly S. Mitchell

Thomas Eastling has over 30 years' experience in global finance, M&A and business development, with a substantial part of his career in Asia. He started on Wall Street at Nikko Securities Co. International, Inc., rising to the position of Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Investment Banking and Syndicate Divisions. In the late 1990's, he moved to Japan as Company Representative for Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. and subsequently worked as Managing Director for Softbank Corp. in strategic planning and investor relations. In 2009 he relocated to Hong Kong with American Appraisal where he served as Director of the firm's Transaction Advisory Services in Asia. In September of 2013, Mr. Eastling returned to Japan in his current role as Executive Officer of GNI Group Ltd. Mr. Eastling has a Bachelor's degree from the [University of Southern California](/org/university-of-southern-california) and a Masters from the American Graduate School of International Management. He speaks Japanese and is pursuing Mandarin. He currently serves as Non-Executive Director for a Hong Kong private equity fund.

Thomas Eastling

Dr. Stephen Frye is currently a Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor and the Director of the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (CICBDD) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). He is also co-director of the Molecular Therapeutics program in the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the lead principal investigator for the North Carolina Comprehensive Chemical Biology Center, a UNC-based, [National Cancer Institute](/org/national-cancer-institute) (NCI) designated center that engages in oncology drug discovery. Prior to joining UNC to create the CICBDD in 2007, Dr. Frye was the world-wide vice president of Discovery Medicinal Chemistry (DMC) at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Dr. Frye led DMC for seven years, overseeing five departments and more than 200 chemists in the U.S. and U.K. developing global target-class chemical science for GSK. During his 20-year career at GSK, the teams/departments led by Dr. Frye successfully developed three FDA approved drugs: Avodart, a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, Tykerb, a dual erbB2/EGFR inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and Pazopanib, a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma.As director of the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at UNC, Dr. Frye plays a key role in translational research through collaborative drug discovery projects with other UNC faculty. In addition, his Center has initiated a program in the area of chemical biology of chromatin regulation with an emphasis on methyl-lysine reading domains. The first IND approved compound discovered in the Center, will enter clinical trials in 2018.

Stephen Frye

Dr. Jackson is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology (Baxter Labs) and of Pathology at Stanford. He received a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Yale College before pursuing graduate work in Chemical Physics at the University of Chicago and receiving a PhD in Biophysics from [Harvard University](/org/harvard), completing his thesis on tyrosine kinase signaling with David Baltimore at MIT’s Whitehead Institute.   Following postdoctoral work at UCSF with Mark Kirschner, studying the cell cycle, Dr. Jackson joined the faculty at Stanford in 1996. His laboratory studies focus on the biochemical and cell biological mechanisms controlling cell division, signaling and cancer, using proteomics and advanced imaging techniques. He has made a broad set of discoveries related to regulatory complexes and signaling in the cell cycle, ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, cancer, signaling within the primary cilium and the link between cilia and human genetic diseases. Dr. Jackson spent from 2005 to 2013 at [Genentech](/org/genentech), where he was a Director and Staff Scientist focused on the discovery and validation of new targets for cancer chemotherapy. He is currently focused on understanding core mechanisms driving differentiation, especially in the context of ciliary signaling and using protein networks to find new core cancer driver pathways and explanations for unexplained human genetic diseases.

Peter Jackson

Dr. Guan is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center at UCSD. He received his B.S. Degree from Hangzhou University in Zhejiang China, and subsequently completed his Ph.D. at [Purdue University](/org/purdue-university) with Henry Weiner. His post-doctoral work in Jack Dixon’s lab leads to multiple discoveries, including dual specific phosphatases. Kun-Liang has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship (also known as the genius award). He has made seminal discoveries in biomedical sciences spanning a wide range of disciplines, including bacterial and viral pathogenesis, cancer biology, and metabolism. Currently, his laboratory studies signaling mechanisms that control organ size and tumorigenesis, with particular emphasis on the mTOR and Hippo-YAP pathways.

Kun-Liang Guan

Dr. Michele Pagano, MD, is the Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the May Ellen and Gerald Jay Ritter Professor of Oncology at the New York University School of Medicine, and an Investigator of the [Howard Hughes Medical Institute](/org/howard-hughes-medical-institute). Dr. Pagano received his doctorate in Medicine and a specialty diploma in Molecular Endocrinology in 1990 from the Federico II University in his native Napoli, Italy. He was subsequently a post-doctoral fellow at [EMBL](/org/embl), Heidelberg, Germany (1990-92), before co-founding Mitotix Inc. (1992-96). He joined the NYU School of Medicine in 1996. Dr. Pagano has received many prestigious grants including a MERIT Award (2006-2017) from the [National Cancer Institute](/org/national-cancer-institute) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in cancer biology. Dr. Pagano’s research focuses on the kinases and ubiquitylating enzymes that control cell proliferation and how deregulation of these machineries contribute to malignant transformation.

Michele Pagano

Dr. Yan is a Partner at 3E Bioventures Capital, who has 18 years of pharmaceutical research and development, management, and operations experience in both the U.S. and China, having held positions with increasing responsibilities at [Novartis](/org/novartis), Roche, and GlaxoSmithKline. He has broad experience in various disease areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, pain, ophthalmology, and metabolic diseases, as well as deep experience in external innovation and  business development. Dr. Yan has close to 50 publications and patents including those in Nature and Science. He received his B.Sc. in Physics from [Fudan University](/org/fudan-university) and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from [New York University](/org/nyu).

Frank Yan

Trency Gu, Managing Director at Sequoia China, focusing on healthcare investment, esp. on biotech, molecular diagnostics and precision medicine. Prior to joining Sequoia, she worked as an Associate at OrbiMed Asia team, covering healthcare and life sciences investments. Prior, Dr. Gu worked as a Project Manager at Eli Lilly Global External Research and Development Center in Shanghai, responsible for scouting, collaboration and partnership activities. She also worked at Shanghai Genomics, a biotech company on innovative drug discovery and development, as an Associate Director for Development Planning. Dr. Gu has a B.S. with double majors in Biotechnology and English, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, both from [Shanghai Jiao Tong University](/org/shanghai-jiao-tong-university).

Trency Gu

Dr. Xiong finished his undergraduate at [Fudan University](/org/fudan-university) in 1982 and  Ph.D from [University of Rochester](/org/university-of-rochester) in 1989. After completing a Ph.D.  Postdoctoral fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Lab, from 1993 up to now, Dr. Xiong joined Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics at [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/org/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) as a William R. Kenan Professor. He was awarded Pew Scholar Award (1995), American Cancer  Society Junior Faculty Research Award (1995), AACR-Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Awards (1999), UNC Hettleman Award for Scholarly  Achievement (1999), UNC Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award  (2011), Elected Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science  (2012). To date, Dr. Xiong has published more than 200 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a named inventor on two US patents.

Yue Xiong

Dr. Timothy Heffernan is currently the Executive Director and Head of Oncology Research at the Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), an integrated drug discovery and development unit within [MD Anderson Cancer Center](/org/the-university-of-texas-md-anderson-cancer-center). He also serves as Director for the Center for Co-Clinical Trials, a translational biology platform focused on accelerating the pre-clinical evaluation of novel drugs to inform innovative clinical trials. Dr. Heffernan earned his degree in Cell and Molecular Pathology from the [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/org/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) and performed his postdoctoral training at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. His expertise lies in basic and translational cancer research, cancer genomics, and targeted oncology therapeutics. Dr. Heffernan currently manages the development of an advanced small molecule drug discovery portfolio coordinating research on programs from target identification through IND enabling studies and phase 1 clinical development. Prior to joining MD Anderson, Dr. Heffernan led target identification efforts at the Belfer Institute at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and also was a Senior Vice President at C4 Therapeutics Inc., where he managed the drug discovery and translational biology efforts to advance a portfolio of internal and partnered programs.

Timothy Heffernan

Dr. Xiong finished his undergraduate at [Fudan University](/org/fudan-university) in 1982 and Ph.D from [University of Rochester](/org/university-of-rochester) in 1989. After completing a Ph.D. Postdoctoral fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Lab, from 1993 up to now, Dr. Xiong joined Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics at [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/org/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) as a William R. Kenan Professor. He was awarded Pew Scholar Award (1995), [American Cancer Society](/org/american-cancer-society) Junior Faculty Research Award (1995), AACR-Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Awards (1999), UNC Hettleman Award for Scholarly Achievement (1999), UNC Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award (2011), Elected Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science (2012). To date, Dr. Xiong has published more than 200 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a named inventor on two US patents.

Rod Nussbaum is a retired Certified Public Accountant with nearly 4 decades of experience with global auditing and consulting firms. He was  a Senior Partner with Advisory Client responsibilities in Japan and the Asia Pacific Region from 2000 - 2016 residing in Tokyo, Japan with Arthur Andersen (2000 - 2002), [KPMG](/org/kpmg) (2002 - 2004) and Ernst & Young (2004 - 2016). During his career he has served a  variety of client companies, ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to  those in the Global 100 in multiple industries  including, technology, pharmaceutical and medical devices. Rod currently serves as an Independent board member for several  organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Business Administration/Accounting from [Boston University](/org/boston-university). 

Rodney L. Nussbaum

Jialiang Wang, PhD, is the vice president of translational medicine at [Cullgen](/org/cullgen). Jialiang joined [Cullgen](/org/cullgen) upon its inception in 2018. Prior to [Cullgen](/org/cullgen) he spent over 10 years in academic research, most recently as a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at [Vanderbilt University](/org/vanderbilt-university) Medical Center. His laboratory at Vanderbilt centered on cancer heterogeneity, mechanisms of drug resistance, and development of experimental therapeutics. His work pioneered numerous important discoveries in cancer stem cells and novel target identification in cancers. Jialiang graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, in 1996. He then received a MS degree from Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. He continued his graduate study at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and earned his PhD degree in 2005. After completing postdoctoral training at [Duke University](/org/duke-university), Jialiang joined the faculty at [Vanderbilt University](/org/vanderbilt-university) in 2010.

Jialiang Wang

Dr. Luo received his doctorate in molecular biology/biomedical sciences from the [University of Connecticut](/org/university-of-connecticut) Health Center in 1991. He later studied HIV gene regulation in UCSF as a postdoctoral fellow. Prior to founding Shanghai Genomics in 2001, Dr. Luo held various positions at the San Francisco Bay Area biotech firms, including Aviron, Clonetech, and Rigel. Later Shanghai Genomics was acquired by [GNI Group](/org/gnipharma) and became listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Board in 2007. He is currently President and CEO of [GNI Group](/org/gnipharma). The pre-clinical, clinical, and regulatory teams recruited and supervised by him has successfully gained 6 IND approvals and conduct Phase I/II trials in China or US. Under his leadership, [GNI Group](/org/gnipharma) had its first Class 1 drug Etuary® approved by China FDA in treating IPF in 2011 through expedited review process. Later he built a nationwide orphan drug sales network in China. Recently, he also engineered several acquistions for GNI, including Beijing Continent and Berkeley Advanced Biomaterials, and investments into other joint ventures. In his career of 30 years, Dr. Luo has co-authored more than 35 research publications and been inventors of more than 16 patents.

Ying Luo

The executive team at Cullgen has a history of experience in the biotech industry and management. The team members have worked at various companies, such as Arisan Therapeutics, Inc., and have hold various titles, such as Head of Chemistry. The team members have also been educated at various institutions, such as UC San Diego and the University of Washington.

CEO and Executive Team

About

Team members

Other teams at Cullgen

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

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