Sulan Yao

Sulan Yao has a diverse and extensive work experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Sulan currently holds the position of Vice President, Operation at Kumquat Biosciences Inc. starting from February 2023. Prior to this, Sulan served as the Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations and ARX788 Program Leader at Ambrx from January 2021 to December 2022. In this role, they excelled in building and developing a strong clinical operations team, fostering collaborative relationships with key opinion leaders and investigators, and guiding the company's research and development strategy.

Before their role at Ambrx, Sulan worked as the Senior Director and Head of Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Assurance, as well as the ARX788 Program Leader at Ambrx Inc. from January 2019 to December 2020. During this time, they played a crucial role in leading the clinical development, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance efforts of the company. Sulan was also a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to the company's successful cross-over fundraising.

From 2013 to 2018, Sulan worked at Ambrx as the Associate Director and Director of Program and Alliance Management. In this role, they oversaw the comprehensive development of the ARX788 Program, including preclinical studies, manufacturing, quality control/assurance, and phase 1 clinical trials. Sulan demonstrated exceptional skills in project management, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder communication.

Sulan started their career as a Consultant at Amaran Biotech/OBI Pharma Inc from February 2013 to July 2013. Before that, they gained valuable experience as a Medicinal Scientist and later as a Senior Research Investigator at Optimer Pharmaceuticals from July 2001 to January 2013. Sulan was involved in medicinal chemistry, market approvals, and regulatory submissions, achieving market approval for Dificid in multiple countries.

Sulan began their professional journey as a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Scripps Research Institute from 1999 to 2001. Throughout their career, Sulan has consistently demonstrated their expertise in clinical operations, regulatory affairs, program management, and stakeholder engagement.

Sulan Yao obtained their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organic Chemistry from Aarhus University, Denmark. Sulan also pursued their Ph.D. Candidate studies at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China. Additionally, they served as a Postdoctoral fellow in Biochemistry at Scripps Research from 1999 to 2001. Sulan Yao has also obtained certifications in Clinical Trial Administration, Drug Discovery and Development, GMP Quality Assurance and Quality Control, and Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from UC San Diego Extension and UCSD Extension respectively.