Mr. puya zhao | Team Building and Team Management | Excellence in Research
AsymBio, China
Author Profile
🌱 Early Academic Pursuits
Puya Zhao embarked on his academic journey at Henan Agricultural University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008. His passion for biotechnology and life sciences led him to pursue dual master’s degrees at two prestigious institutions—the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Tianjin University of Science and Technology—from 2008 to 2011. These formative years provided him with a robust foundation in bioprocessing and industrial biotechnology.
🚀 Professional Endeavors
Puya Zhao’s career is marked by significant achievements in the biopharmaceutical industry. Since July 2022, he has served as the Downstream Process Development Director at Shanghai AsymBio, where he has overseen the successful completion of over 30 Investigational New Drug (IND) projects, including monoclonal antibody, bispecific antibody, nanobody, Fc-fusion proteins, and other recombinant proteins. His leadership extends to managing a purification team of 15-20 members, where he is responsible for strategic design, experimental execution, report drafting, and team management.
Before his tenure at Shanghai AsymBio, Puya Zhao held the position of Associate Director of the Biosafety Testing (Suzhou) Department at WuXi Biologics from 2020 to 2022. Here, he specialized in viral clearance studies, leading a team of 15-23 members and developing a comprehensive database for viral clearance, which has become an essential resource for downstream process development.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Puya Zhao has made substantial contributions to biopharmaceutical process development. His work includes the development of purification processes for various biologics, the translation of key texts on biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and active participation in the ICH Q5A (R2) domestic expert working group. He has also led initiatives in process scale-up, technology transfer, and pilot plant management, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
His research is well-recognized in the scientific community, with notable publications in peer-reviewed journals. His recent SCI papers include studies on the application of an integrated full-membrane platform for antibody purification and a non-affinity platform for processing knob-into-hole bispecific antibodies, both published in Bioresources and Bioprocessing in 2024.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Puya Zhao’s expertise is further demonstrated by his role in the ICH Q5A (R2) domestic expert working group, where he has participated in the review and finalization of regulatory documents and maintained active communication with regulatory agencies. His innovative approach is reflected in his intellectual property portfolio, with six patents submitted, two of which have been officially filed.
🌐 Impact and Influence
Puya Zhao’s leadership in downstream process development has significantly impacted the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly in the purification and safety testing of biologics. His contributions to process optimization, viral clearance, and scale-up strategies have set benchmarks for best practices in the field. His expertise is not only recognized within his organization but also in the broader biopharmaceutical sector.
🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions
Looking forward, Puya Zhao is poised to continue his contributions to biopharmaceutical innovation. His commitment to research, process optimization, and regulatory excellence positions him as a key figure in the development of safe and effective biologics. As he continues to lead teams and drive scientific advancements, his impact on the industry is set to grow further.”)}