W. Frank An

About W. Frank An

Strong program leadership in therapeutic antibody discovery and preclinical development in inflammation & immunology (autoimmune), oncology, CNS, and rare diseases. Key responsibilities include target entry/program inception, program implementation and management, business development (BD) for out-licensing and co-development, and clinical liaison for asset in clinicals. Delivered programs/candidate molecules that reached clinical trials (phase 2), CMC, non-clinical, and preclinical candidate (PCC) stages. Modalities include monoclonal (mAb) and bispecific/multi-specific antibodies such as bispecific antibody drug conjugates (bsADCs), biparatopic antibodies, T cell engagers, multi-specific antibodies with blood brain barriers shuttles. Technical expertise in in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and PK/PD. Known for strategic thinking, operational excellence, and timely and high quality execution in a matrix environment.

Experience

1. Vice President of Institute for Biologics, Biocytogen, Us and China

   Biocytogen

   Jun 2024 — Present

   As the VP of Institute of Biologics, the therapeutic antibody discovery arm at Biocytogen, my key responsibilities include overseeing Biocytogen’s internal and external collaborative antibody discovery programs in inflammation & immunology (autoimmune), oncology, CNS, and rare diseases. In charge of portfolio strategies, target inception and TPP (target product profile) conceptualization, as well as project implementation and management. Delivered candidate molecules in clinical trials, nonclinical NHP safety, CMC, and PCC stages. • Modalities include mAbs and bispecific and multi-specific antibodies (e.g. biparatopic and bispecific antibodies, bispecific ADCs, T cell engagers, and multi-specific antibodies with shuttles (e.g. TfR1/CD71, CD98). I also take significant responsibility (go-to-person) working with BD to present and seek out-licensing and collaborative opportunities externally via meetings, webinars, and conferences. Achievements included multi-billion-dollar preclinical co-development programs in autoimmune and neurological diseases (where I am program lead and co-chair of the Joint Research Committee). I also take the role of clinical liaison for our clinical asset between the clinical team and our licensee partner presenting clinical results to the latter and coordinting communication and information exchanges among all parties.

Education

• Brandeis University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular and Cellular Biology

• Peking University

  Bachelor's of Science, Biochemistry

• Harvard Medical School

  Post doctoral fellow (HMS, Dana Farber Cancer Institute), Immunology (T cell activation)

Skills

• Oncology
• High Content Screening
• Immuno-Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Protein Chemistry
• Laboratory
• Life Sciences
• Assay Development
• Biotechnology
• Drug Discovery
• Biochemistry
• Cell Culture
• In Vivo
• High Throughput Screening
• Cell Biology
• In Vitro
• Protein Expression