Company Founders

 

Dr. Zhang Xiaolong  |  Founder

        PhD in Natural Product Chemistry

        Deputy Director, Shenzhen Research Institute of Northwest A&F University

        Vice President, Shenzhen Alumni Association of Northwest A&F University

        Dr. Zhang earned his doctorate at the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in natural product chemistry. He has focused on discovering and developing bioactive natural ingredients, participating in several national flagship programs including the “863” and “973” initiatives. His industry experience includes leadership roles at Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical’s Modern TCM Research Institute and Shandong Chenxin Pharmaceutical R&D, where he directed preclinical development for a first-in-class antitumor small molecule, a first-in-class DPP4 inhibitor, and a class VI anti-osteoporosis TCM, in addition to four generic drug programs. He has published 12 academic papers (six in SCI-indexed journals) and filed nine invention patents. Dr. Zhang now co-founded Kehua AI (Shenzhen) Innovative Drug R&D Co., Ltd. with experts from Peking University, CAS, and Sun Yat-sen University, overseeing overall company operations.

 

Ji Lanjü  |  Co-founder

        Research Professor, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

        Recipient of the State Natural Science Award (Second Class)

        A graduate of Peking University’s Department of Chemistry, Professor Ji has dedicated her career to innovative drug discovery and industrialization. She has invented eight original medicines—five prescription products (“Chongcao Qingfei Capsules,” “Shiwuwei Luoding Mingmu Tablets,” “Liuwei Dingxiang Tablets,” “Jinhuang Lidan Capsules,” and “Shisanwei Ximing Capsules”) and three OTC products (“Shiwei Hezi Tablets,” “Fujie Topical Solution,” and “Shiwei Ruxiang Capsules”). She founded Qinghai Plant Pharmaceutical Co., later acquired by Sinopharm. Professor Ji has published 19 papers and holds 15 invention patents. As a co-founder of Kehua AI, she leads R&D programs centered on medicinal plants from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.

 

Sun Hongfa  |  Co-founder

        Research Professor, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

        Recipient of the State Natural Science Award (Second Class)

        Also a Peking University chemistry graduate, Professor Sun has spent his career advancing innovative medicines from concept to commercialization. He has invented eight original drugs (the same portfolio noted above), founded Qinghai Plant Pharmaceutical Co., later acquired by Sinopharm, published 21 papers, and filed 17 invention patents. At Kehua AI he leads research on antiviral natural products.

 

Sun Baiwang  |  Co-founder

        PhD in Chemistry

        Professor, Southeast University

        Professor Sun received his doctorate from Nankai University. He served at Xuzhou Normal University (1985–1998), completed postdoctoral research at Peking University (1999–2000), and worked as a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore (2000–2004). Since 2004 he has been with Southeast University’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, currently chairing the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on bistable functional molecular materials, drug synthesis, crystallization and polymorphism, sustained-release and targeted formulations. He has led numerous national and provincial projects (including three NSFC grants), collaborated on ten industry programs, published over 120 papers (more than 100 indexed by SCI), and filed ten national patents (six granted). Prof. Sun has been honored with Southeast University’s Wu Jianxiong & Yuan Jia-lieu Award and the Changzhou Municipal Teaching Achievement Award. At Kehua AI he directs work on affinity materials for saponins and alkaloids as well as natural product derivatives.

 

Liao Zhixin  |  Co-founder

        PhD in Natural & Bioorganic Chemistry

        Professor, Southeast University

        Professor Liao obtained his doctorate from Lanzhou University. He worked at Fudan University School of Pharmacy (2003–2005) and joined Southeast University in 2006, where he now supervises doctoral students. Over the past five years he has led two NSFC general projects and contributed to a Ministry of Science and Technology key R&D program. He was selected for the “Western Light” talent program by the Central Organization Department and CAS, and his research on Chinese Gentianaceae won a provincial First-Class Science and Technology Progress Award. He has published over 50 papers (30+ in SCI journals) and filed more than ten national patents. At Kehua AI he leads development of biosynthetic technologies for signature natural active ingredients.