WuXi AppTec Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

WuXi AppTec has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational scaling, and strategic project management.

Committed to accelerating global drug discovery, WuXi AppTec delivers integrated research and manufacturing solutions that empower pharmaceutical partners to bring life-saving therapies to patients worldwide through advanced scientific innovation.

Leadership Roles at WuXi AppTec

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ge Li
  • Co-Chief Executive Officer - Steve Yang
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer - Florence Shi
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China) - Zhaohui Zhang
  • President of WuXi AppTec - Richard Connell
  • Chief Operations Officer - Erich Koch
  • Executive VP & Head of the Strategic Project Office - Xiaozhong Liu
  • Ge Li - Chief Executive Officer

    Ge Li, the Chief Executive Officer at WuXi AppTec, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the global research and manufacturing platform. By architecting the integrated service model, the Chief Executive Officer ensures seamless collaboration across the six core business segments, ranging from chemistry to advanced therapy units. Ge Li maintains a focus on expanding the company's international footprint, particularly across the United States and Europe, to support diverse client needs in small molecule and complex conjugate development. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to align operational capabilities with emerging market demands in the pharmaceutical sector. Through the promotion of a culture centered on scientific excellence and efficiency, the Chief Executive Officer drives the organization toward sustained growth. Ultimately, the strategic direction established by Li secures the company's position as a premier partner for drug discovery and development projects on a global scale.
    Ge Li

    Steve Yang - Co-Chief Executive Officer

    Steve Yang, the Co-Chief Executive Officer at WuXi AppTec, executes the operational expansion and strategic integration of the company's diverse service portfolio. Overseeing the alignment of biology services and candidate selection processes, the Co-Chief Executive Officer ensures that project workflows meet rigorous clinical standards. Steve Yang manages the complex interplay between internal research units and external client requirements, facilitating the transition of drug candidates from discovery into the clinic. This role demands constant coordination with other C-suite leaders to optimize resource allocation across the People's Republic of China and international markets. By refining the operational framework for small molecule and peptide development, the Co-Chief Executive Officer enhances the speed and quality of service delivery. Through the implementation of advanced project management methodologies, Yang strengthens the company's competitive advantage in the global contract research and manufacturing organization landscape.

    Florence Shi - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    Florence Shi, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at WuXi AppTec, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies necessary to support the company's extensive research and manufacturing infrastructure. Overseeing global fiscal reporting and investor relations, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and compliance across all six business segments. Florence Shi directs the financial planning required for large-scale investments in advanced therapy units and chemistry facilities, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term growth objectives. This leadership role involves close collaboration with the executive team to assess the economic viability of new service offerings and international market entries. By optimizing the capital structure and maintaining robust internal controls, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer provides the stability required for continuous innovation. Ultimately, Shi safeguards the financial integrity of the organization while supporting the expansion of drug development capabilities worldwide.
    Florence Shi

    Zhaohui Zhang - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China)

    Zhaohui Zhang, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China) at WuXi AppTec, directs the internal scaling and manufacturing efficiency of the company's domestic operations. Overseeing the production facilities and laboratory networks within the People's Republic of China, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China) ensures that all contract research and manufacturing services adhere to strict quality and safety protocols. Zhaohui Zhang manages the integration of local supply chains with global project requirements, facilitating the seamless delivery of small molecule and advanced therapy solutions. This leadership role involves coordinating with site managers to optimize throughput and reduce turnaround times for client projects. By driving operational excellence and process improvements, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China) supports the company's mission to provide high-quality drug development services. Through the effective management of regional assets, Zhang ensures that domestic operations remain a cornerstone of the global service model.

    Richard Connell - President of WuXi AppTec

    Richard Connell, the President of WuXi AppTec, directs the day-to-day business activities and client-facing operations that define the company's market presence. Overseeing the commercial strategy and the expansion of the company's service reach, the President of WuXi AppTec ensures that the organization effectively supports the drug discovery and development needs of global pharmaceutical clients. Richard Connell manages the relationships with key partners and stakeholders, facilitating the growth of the company's integrated project portfolio. This leadership role involves working closely with the executive team to translate corporate strategy into actionable business outcomes across all segments. By focusing on client satisfaction and the delivery of high-value scientific solutions, the President of WuXi AppTec drives revenue growth and market penetration. Through the active management of commercial operations and the promotion of the company's service capabilities, Connell strengthens the organization's reputation as a trusted partner in the global pharmaceutical industry.
    Richard Connell

    Erich Koch - Chief Operations Officer

    Erich Koch, the Chief Operations Officer at WuXi AppTec, architects the global operational framework that supports the company's international service delivery. Overseeing the logistics and cross-border coordination of research and manufacturing projects, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that the company's diverse segments function as a unified entity across the United States, Europe, and other international markets. Erich Koch manages the implementation of standardized operational procedures to maintain consistency in service quality for complex conjugates and oligonucleotides. This leadership role involves identifying opportunities for operational synergy between the various business units to enhance overall productivity. By streamlining the movement of materials and data across global sites, the Chief Operations Officer facilitates the rapid progression of client projects from discovery to commercialization. Through the application of rigorous operational metrics, Koch drives the efficiency of the global platform, ensuring that the company meets the evolving demands of the international pharmaceutical industry.

    Xiaozhong Liu - Executive VP & Head of the Strategic Project Office

    Xiaozhong Liu, the Executive VP & Head of the Strategic Project Office at WuXi AppTec, directs the execution of high-priority initiatives that advance the company's long-term strategic goals. Overseeing the planning and implementation of cross-functional projects, the Executive VP & Head of the Strategic Project Office ensures that new service modalities and market expansion efforts remain aligned with the corporate mission. Xiaozhong Liu manages the coordination between the six business segments to launch integrated solutions that address complex drug development challenges. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends and internal capabilities to identify and prioritize strategic investments. By fostering collaboration across departments, the Executive VP & Head of the Strategic Project Office accelerates the development of new technologies and service offerings. Through the disciplined management of strategic projects, Liu ensures that the company maintains its leadership position in the global research and manufacturing sector, consistently delivering value to pharmaceutical partners.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding WuXi AppTec Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads WuXi AppTec?
    WuXi AppTec is led by Ge Li (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Steve Yang (Co-Chief Executive Officer) and Florence Shi (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of WuXi AppTec’s executive team?
    The executive team of WuXi AppTec includes leaders such as Ge Li (Chief Executive Officer), Steve Yang (Co-Chief Executive Officer), Florence Shi (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does WuXi AppTec have?
    WuXi AppTec has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in WuXi AppTec’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of WuXi AppTec includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (China), President of WuXi AppTec.