Hongming Chen

Hongming Chen has a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. Hongming began their career at Merck in 1996 as a Senior Process Engineer, where they were responsible for technical assessment and process improvement for sterile-filled and lyophilized biologic products. Hongming then moved to AstraZeneca as a Scientist, where they were responsible for developing new formulations and delivery vehicles for recombinant H. pylori proteins for oral vaccination. In 1996, they served as a Consulting Advisor for Orasomal Technologies. In 1999, they started TransForm Pharmaceuticals and grew the company to its acquisition in 2005 by Johnson & Johnson for $230 MM. As Director of Formulation Development, they built the company's core high throughput form and formulation technology platforms, designed novel drug formulations, collaborated with strategic partners, and developed proprietary drug products. In 2010, they started Kala Pharmaceuticals and translated an academic technology to two FDA-approved products (INVELTYS and EYSUVIS). Hongming is currently President and Head of R&D at METiS Therapeutics.

Hongming Chen began their educational journey at Fudan University from 1988 to 1990, where they were a Candidate for B.S. in Material Science. Hongming then moved to The University of Texas at Austin from 1990 to 1992, where they earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Hongming continued their studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1993 to 1995, where they earned an M.S. in Chemical Engineering Practice. Hongming then returned to MIT from 1993 to 1996, where they earned a Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering. Finally, they attended Harvard University from 1997 to 1999, where they completed a Business Program.