As traditional clinical pathways in the U.S. and EU grow slower, costlier, and more uncertain, China is re-emerging as a potentially compelling - but complex - alternative. With accelerating regulatory reforms, increasingly mature clinical sites, and globally ambitious partners, the opportunity for faster timelines, lower costs, and differentiated positioning is real. But it comes not without its challenges. CEOs must navigate cultural nuances, national and regional legal and regulatory frameworks, IP security, data sharing restrictions, and investor skepticism.
In this CEO Clinic, Chris Sheldon, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Business Development R&D at GSK, will unpack his own experiences in both the strategic upside and practical realities of engaging with China.
Following the recent discussion with JP Latere about EsoBiotec’s first-in-human trial and subsequent acquisition by AstraZeneca, this session is an opportunity to go deeper into how larger pharma players are approaching China, what Chris has learned from his recent interaction with Chinese partners - and what early-stage European biotechs need to understand to operate credibly and effectively in this environment.
Chris Shledon has been closely involved with GSK's recent China strategy. GSK’s latest deal with Hengrui Pharma - a $500 million upfront partnership with potential milestone payments up to $12 billion and 5 more in-licensing deals - underscores the strategic value that major pharma now sees in Chinese innovation and clinical strength.
This is a great opportunity to learn from and connect with a senior pharma leader in an intimate forum.
CEO Clinics are an intimate forum for confidential exchange on a given topic and therefore limited to 6-8 Members.
If you are interested in joining this Clinic, you must RSVP here on the platform.
In the event that more than 8 people sign up, we will allocate places one week before the event.
Chris is currently Senior Vice President & Global Head of Business Development R&D for GSK based in the UK. Chris and his team are responsible for all of GSK's business development activities globally covering the scouting & evaluating, transacting and alliance management of all new investment opportunities.
Chris and his team led the recent $1B acquisition of IDrX for a highly selective KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Other deals at GSK include the $2B acquisition of Bellus Health for phase-III camlipixant in refractory chronic cough and the $1.6B acquisition of Aiolos Bio for IO-001, a phase II-ready, long-acting antibody targeting the clinically validated TSLP pathway for asthma both adding to GSK’s respiratory medicines portfolio. In addition, two licensing deals were struck with Hansoh Pharma for novel antibody-drug conjugates & a third with WuXi Biologics for bi- & multi-specific T cell engagers in oncology. Finally in the area of infectious disease, a peer licensing deal with Janssen for a phase II-ready siRNA for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
Prior to this Chris worked in the UK at AstraZeneca (AZ) for over 19 years. Chris held the roles of Vice President & Head of Oncology Business Development in Oncology Research & Development as well as Vice President & Head of Investor Relations.
Chris and his team led the evaluation and investment cases for AZ’s major $6.9B and $6B clinical stage co-development/co-promotion deals with Daiichi-Sankyo for Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and DS-1062 (datopotomab deruxtecan), both novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Chris also led AZ’s $6.4B acquisition of Acerta Pharma for Calquence (acalabrutinib), a best-in-class BTK inhibitor in haematology.
Before his business development career, Chris worked in discovery research at AZ as a Senior Research Chemist. He also holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Bristol, UK and a first class honours degree from the University of Sheffield, UK.