SAPA News

Be the CEO of Your Career: NC-BIIS 2026 Career Forum on Breaking into the Biotech Industry

The NC-BIIS 2026 Career Development Forum, moderated by Dr. Susan Lankford of Duke University, offered practical guidance for young professionals entering the biotech and pharmaceutical workforce. Speakers emphasized treating your career as a company where you are the CEO — proactively building skills, networks, and visibility. Key takeaways included writing resumes that highlight results rather than duties, making technical skills visible, leveraging publications as proof of productivity, being transparent about visa and sponsorship needs, understanding how ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) filter candidates, networking strategically with recruiters, and using tools like ChatGPT appropriately in the job search process. The session provided actionable advice for PhDs, postdocs, and early-career professionals navigating the transition from academia to industry.

May 3, 2026

CAS Foreign Member Xiaofan Wang on China's Pharma "Inflection Point" and US-China Collaboration at NC-BIIS 2026

At the closing ceremony of NC-BIIS 2026, Duke Distinguished Professor and CAS Foreign Member Dr. Xiaofan Wang delivered a forward-looking address on how China's pharmaceutical industry has reached an "inflection point" after 30 years of transformation from imitation to genuine innovation. Dr. Wang highlighted key growth directions including cell and gene therapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and AI-driven drug discovery. He emphasized that the US remains the global leader in biomedical innovation and that US-China cooperation — not decoupling — is essential for addressing humanity's biggest health challenges. The address underscored the unique role of organizations like SAPA in bridging the two ecosystems.

May 2, 2026

Duke Professor Bruce Donald on AI at NC-BIIS 2026: Not About Smarter Machines, But More Honest Science

At the 1st NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit, Duke University Distinguished Professor Bruce Donald delivered a compelling talk on using AI constrained by physics and chemistry — not just data — to predict cancer mutations and design drugs in advance. He highlighted fundamental limitations of current AI models in molecular biology, emphasized the importance of explainable models over black-box predictions, and introduced his paradigm-shifting approach of treating proteins as probability distributions rather than static structures. Dr. Donald, founder of Ten63 Therapeutics, demonstrated how AI and physics-based molecular design platforms are tackling challenging drug targets in oncology.

May 1, 2026

Nobel Laureate Gregg Semenza on Targeting HIF to Treat Cancer and Blinding Eye Diseases at NC-BIIS 2026

At NC-BIIS 2026, 2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. Gregg L. Semenza delivered a keynote on his groundbreaking work on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) — the molecular system cells use to sense and adapt to oxygen levels. He presented two promising drug candidates: S9N, a first-in-class dual HIF-1/HIF-2 inhibitor that blocks tumor growth, overcomes immunotherapy resistance in cancers like glioblastoma and triple-negative breast cancer, and acts as a "master key" to open tumor defenses for immune cells; and 32-134D, an eye drop therapy candidate targeting multiple angiogenic factors upstream of VEGF for diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration — potentially replacing painful intravitreal injections with non-invasive topical treatment. The talk traced the full translational journey from Nobel Prize-winning basic science to the clinical pipeline at HIF Therapeutics.

April 30, 2026

A Remarkable Spring: SAPA-NC Debuts with Nobel Laureate Keynote at NC-BIIS 2026

SAPA-NC's inaugural NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) was organized in just 49 days, yet drew approximately 300 attendees to the NC Biotechnology Center. The summit marked the first time a Nobel Laureate — Dr. Gregg L. Semenza — entered the North Carolina Chinese-American community, delivering a keynote on HIF-targeted therapies. The event featured six themes, nine panel discussions, and 25+ strategic sponsors from across the US, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. A dedicated volunteer team powered logistics, registration, media, and session coordination, while professional videography and photography captured every moment. The summit highlighted the Research Triangle region as a rising force in the global biotech ecosystem.

April 29, 2026

Beyond Borders: NC-BIIS 2026 Marks Milestone Opening for North Carolina Biotech

The inaugural NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) opened a new chapter for the North Carolina biopharmaceutical community. Organized in just 49 days — dubbed "North Carolina speed" — the summit drew on 40 years of accumulated professional strength from SAPA members. Nobel Laureate Dr. Gregg L. Semenza delivered a keynote on targeting hypoxia-inducible factors for cancer and eye disease therapies, while CAS Foreign Member Dr. Xiaofan Wang closed the summit with strategic insights on China's pharma "inflection point" and the imperative for US-China collaboration. The event aligned industry, investment, and talent through startup showcases, capital matching sessions, and a dedicated career forum. SAPA-NC President Dr. Bin Xiao articulated a vision of bridging the gap between academia and industry in the Research Triangle's thriving life sciences ecosystem.

April 25, 2026

SAPA-NC Inaugural Ceremony & 1st NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit Successfully Concluded!

On April 24, 2026, SAPA-NC successfully hosted the inaugural NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) at the NC Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park. Themed "Beyond Borders, Beyond Biotech Frontiers," the event featured six core sessions and nine high-level panel discussions — including a keynote by 2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. Gregg L. Semenza — attracting professionals from across the global biopharmaceutical value chain.

April 16, 2026

NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall Endorses NC-BIIS 2026; SAPA-NC President Announces Three Collaboration Opportunities

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall sent a special video message congratulating SAPA-NC on the upcoming NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) on April 24, thanking "everyone for your efforts to advance North Carolina's vibrant and innovative economy." In her video message, Secretary Marshall highlighted that the summit brings together thought leaders across biotech, investment, and policy to explore innovation and development in North Carolina. She noted that opening with a Nobel Laureate keynote underscores the caliber and significance of the conference. She also emphasized the importance of the startup showcase and investment pitch competition, and praised the Research Triangle as a model of collaboration between enterprise, academia, and government. SAPA-NC President Dr. Bin Xiao also announced three key collaboration opportunities ahead of the summit: Investment Collaboration: Investors will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with 2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. Gregg L. Semenza. Dr. Semenza is currently advancing two innovative drug projects — an eye drop therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and an oral therapeutic for oncology. Career Fair: A dedicated talent and career exchange session will connect biotech and pharmaceutical companies with outstanding researchers, students, postdocs, and young professionals. Sponsorship & Exhibition: Booth displays, event sponsorship, and ecosystem donations are available, with participant names and profiles featured in the official Program Book and on-site displays for enhanced industry visibility.

April 6, 2026

SAPA-NC Volunteer Team Building at Umstead State Park

In preparation for the upcoming NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) on April 24, SAPA-NC organized a volunteer team building event at the beautiful Umstead State Park in Raleigh, NC. Volunteers — the backbone of NC-BIIS 2026 — gathered to meet one another, introduce themselves, and build camaraderie ahead of the summit. The group shared a BBQ lunch and enjoyed the scenic trails, strengthening the teamwork and spirit that will power this flagship event. With over 30 dedicated volunteers contributing their time and energy across logistics, registration, media, and session coordination, the team building was a wonderful opportunity to connect faces to names and align on the shared mission of delivering an outstanding summit experience. NC-BIIS 2026 is just around the corner — come join us on April 24 at the NC Biotechnology Center for a full day of groundbreaking science, investment insights, and professional networking!

March 24, 2026

Nobel Laureate Leads 30+ Distinguished Speakers at NC-BIIS 2026

The 1st Annual NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) will feature 30+ heavyweight speakers delivering keynotes and panel discussions across six frontier areas: AI Drug Discovery, Genetic Medicines & Gene Therapy, Oncology, Biomedical Engineering, Startups & Investment, and Global Biotech Expansion. 2019 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Dr. Gregg L. Semenza will deliver a keynote address at the summit. Dr. Semenza, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Joining him are renowned scholars and entrepreneurs from Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and industry, bringing together scientific depth and industry foresight for a truly world-class program.

March 18, 2026

The 1st Annual NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026) Coming to Research Triangle Park

The inaugural NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026), themed "Beyond Borders, Beyond Biotech Frontiers," will be held on April 24, 2026, at the NC Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park. Hosted by SAPA-NC — the newly established North Carolina chapter of the Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SAPA, founded 1993, 10,000+ members) — this flagship event is expected to draw hundreds of professionals from academia, industry, and investment. The one-day summit will feature 30+ distinguished speakers, including 2019 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Dr. Gregg L. Semenza (Johns Hopkins), Duke Distinguished Professor and CAS Foreign Member Dr. Xiaofan Wang, AskBio co-founder Ms. Sheila Mikhail, and other renowned scientists and industry leaders. Discussions will center on six frontier topics: AI Drug Discovery, Genetic Medicines, Oncology, Biomedical Engineering, Startups & Investment, and Global Biotech Expansion. The Research Triangle region — home to Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State University — hosts 385+ biotech and life sciences companies with approximately 55,000 employees, including 7 of the world's top 10 CROs. NC-BIIS 2026 aims to serve as a premier platform connecting science, entrepreneurship, capital, and talent in this thriving ecosystem.