I-Mab (NASDAQ:IMAB) announced significant leadership enhancements with the appointment of three seasoned biotech executives to strengthen its governance and scientific expertise as the company advances its precision immuno-oncology pipeline. The appointments, effective August 22, 2025, include Dr. Robert Lenz and Ms. Xin Liu joining the Board of Directors, while Dr. Ken Takeshita was named to the Scientific Advisory Board.
Strategic Leadership Appointments
Dr. Robert Lenz brings extensive R&D leadership experience, having most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Neumora Therapeutics from September 2023 to March 2025. His career includes over a decade at Amgen Inc. in key leadership roles, including Senior Vice President, Head of Global Development, and previous positions at Abbott Laboratories where he served as Divisional Vice President for Neuroscience, Anesthesia, and Psychiatry Development. Throughout his career, Dr. Lenz has overseen the development of multiple medicines through regulatory approval.
Ms. Xin Liu joins as an independent director with significant finance and investment expertise. She currently serves as Investment Director, Healthcare Group of Hony Capital since August 2023, and previously held senior investment roles at CCBPE and Fosun Group. Ms. Liu will serve as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board.
Dr. Sean Cao, whose appointment to the Board was reiterated from May 28, 2025, is an accomplished biotech executive and entrepreneur currently serving as an Operating Partner at CBC Group. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of ABio-X Holdings and has founded multiple companies including Ensem Therapeutics, Everest Medicines, and NiKang Therapeutics. Dr. Cao will serve on both the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.
Research and Development Committee Formation
The company established a new Research and Development Committee of the Board of Directors, to be chaired by Dr. Robert Lenz, with Dr. Sean Cao and Dr. Sean Fu, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab, as members. According to Wei Fu, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the R&D Committee is "intended to ensure that we are guided by rigorous scientific insight and strategic foresight."
Dr. Ken Takeshita's appointment to the Scientific Advisory Board adds significant clinical development expertise. He currently serves as Global Head of Research & Development for Daiichi Sankyo, responsible for leading the organization's global research and clinical development strategy. His previous roles include senior R&D positions at Kite Pharma (now part of Gilead Sciences), Sorrento Therapeutics, Celgene Corporation (now part of Bristol-Myers Squibb), and Amgen.
Pipeline Focus on Givastomig
These leadership changes come as I-Mab progresses its lead candidate givastomig, a potential best-in-class bispecific antibody (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB) designed to treat Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancers. Givastomig conditionally activates T cells via the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where Claudin 18.2 is expressed.
The drug is being developed for first-line metastatic gastric cancers, with additional potential in other solid tumors. In Phase 1 trials, givastomig was observed to maintain strong tumor-binding and anti-tumor activity, attributable to a potential synergistic effect of proximal interaction with Claudin 18.2 and 4-1BB, while minimizing toxicities commonly seen with other 4-1BB agents.
Wei Fu emphasized the strategic timing of these appointments, stating: "As I-Mab enters the next stage of growth, with the progression of givastomig, we are pleased to enhance the Board's expertise. Dr. Cao's career of entrepreneurship and Dr. Lenz's track record as an R&D leader will be important to I-Mab's focus on R&D excellence and innovation, and Ms. Liu's finance and governance experience will complement the skilled executives on our Board."
