WALTHAM, Mass., May 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ:BGNE) (“BeiGene”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Dr. Ji Li as its Executive Vice President, Global Head of Business Development.

“We are delighted to have Ji join BeiGene’s senior leadership team,” said John V. Oyler, CEO of BeiGene. “Ji brings a wealth of experience and deep expertise as a senior business development executive to our organization that will help us execute our strategy through thoughtful collaborations.”

Prior to joining BeiGene, Dr. Li served as Vice President of Business Development and Licensing at Merck Research Laboratories, a subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc., where he was responsible for business development activities of late-stage inbound and outbound opportunities. In addition, he led the team in executing external clinical collaborations in the immune-oncology space and Merck’s R&D business development efforts in Japan and China. Dr. Li was a member of the Board of Directors of BeiGene, as a representative for Merck, up until BeiGene’s IPO in February 2016. Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Li was Executive Licensing Director, External R&D at Amgen where he served in various roles in research, business development and licensing for more than 15 years. Dr. Li obtained his B.S. in Pharmacology from Shanghai Medical University and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

“I’m excited to join BeiGene,” said Dr. Li. “The company has made tremendous progress with its pipeline. I look forward to contributing to future success of the company via partnerships to further enhance value of our portfolio, and more importantly, to bring meaningful treatments to cancer patients globally.”

About BeiGene

BeiGene is a global, clinical-stage, research-based biotechnology company focused on molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics. With a team of over 215 scientists, clinicians and staff in China, the United States, Australia and Taiwan, BeiGene is advancing a pipeline consisting of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for cancer. BeiGene is working to create combination solutions aimed to have both a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, including statements regarding the company’s future development and collaboration strategy. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including BeiGene's ability to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its drug candidates, the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development, actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of clinical trials, BeiGene's ability to achieve market acceptance in the medical community necessary for commercial success, BeiGene's ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs, BeiGene's reliance on third parties to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials, BeiGene’s limited operating history and BeiGene's ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in BeiGene’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in BeiGene's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  All information in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and BeiGene undertakes no duty to update such information unless required by law.

Investor/Media Contact

Lucy Li, Ph.D.
+1 781-801-1800
ir@beigene.com
media@beigene.com

Source: BeiGene, LTD.