HKEX Biotech Summit 2023

Nicolas Aguzin joined HKEX as Chief Executive Officer on 24 May 2021 from J.P. Morgan, where he was most recently Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan’s International Private Bank. Mr Aguzin has been based in Hong Kong since 2012.

From 2013 to 2020, Mr Aguzin was CEO, J.P. Morgan, Asia Pacific where he was responsible for all the firm’s business across 17 markets. Mr Aguzin presided over some of the firm’s major expansion efforts during the period, including establishing itself in China as one of the few international financial institutions with a full range of services and capabilities; including a fully-owned locally incorporated commercial bank, a majority-owned securities company, an asset management company and a futures and options company. Concurrent with his Asia CEO role, Mr Aguzin also ran J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking division in Asia. During his tenure the bank rose to become one of the leading investment banks in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Aguzin joined J.P. Morgan in 1990 in Buenos Aires as a financial analyst. Between 1990 and 2005, he held a variety of roles in New York and Buenos Aires, and in 2005 he was appointed as CEO, Latin America. In 2008 and 2009, in addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Latin America and Head of Latin America Investment Banking, he served as Senior Country Officer for Brazil.

Mr Aguzin holds a bachelor degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Nicolas Aguzin joined HKEX as Chief Executive Officer on 24 May 2021 from J.P. Morgan, where he was most recently Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan’s International Private Bank. Mr Aguzin has been based in Hong Kong since 2012.

From 2013 to 2020, Mr Aguzin was CEO, J.P. Morgan, Asia Pacific where he was responsible for all the firm’s business across 17 markets. Mr Aguzin presided over some of the firm’s major expansion efforts during the period, including establishing itself in China as one of the few international financial institutions with a full range of services and capabilities; including a fully-owned locally incorporated commercial bank, a majority-owned securities company, an asset management company and a futures and options company. Concurrent with his Asia CEO role, Mr Aguzin also ran J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking division in Asia. During his tenure the bank rose to become one of the leading investment banks in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Aguzin joined J.P. Morgan in 1990 in Buenos Aires as a financial analyst. Between 1990 and 2005, he held a variety of roles in New York and Buenos Aires, and in 2005 he was appointed as CEO, Latin America. In 2008 and 2009, in addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Latin America and Head of Latin America Investment Banking, he served as Senior Country Officer for Brazil.

Mr Aguzin holds a bachelor degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Mr Neil Shen is Steward of Sequoia Capital, and Founding & Managing Partner of Sequoia Capital China. He is also Co-Founder of Trip.com (NASDAQ: TCOM) and Homeinns Hotel Group (NASDAQ: HMIN).

Mr Shen has received numerous honours and awards in China and across the globe. He continues to hold the top position in the Forbe’s Midas List 2020, having reached the top of The Midas List 2018 - the first time a Chinese national made it to the top of the list. He is also listed in the "100 Greatest Living Business Minds" by Forbes. In addition, he was listed on the "50 Most Influential Business Leaders in China" and "30 Most Influential Investors in China" by Fortune from 2015 to 2020, and placed within the "Top 20 Venture Capitalists Worldwide" by New York Times and CB Insights from 2016 to 2019.

Mr Shen serves a number of philanthropic and public organisations and industry associations, including as Vice Chairman of the VC Funds Committee of Asset Management Association of China, Member of the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s Council of Advisors on Innovation and Strategic Development, Member of HKEX International Advisory Council, Chairman of Yale Center Beijing Executive Council, Trustee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Director of Yabuli China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF).

He received his Master's degree from Yale University and Bachelor's degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Mr Neil Shen is Steward of Sequoia Capital, and Founding & Managing Partner of Sequoia Capital China. He is also Co-Founder of Trip.com (NASDAQ: TCOM) and Homeinns Hotel Group (NASDAQ: HMIN).

Mr Shen has received numerous honours and awards in China and across the globe. He continues to hold the top position in the Forbe’s Midas List 2020, having reached the top of The Midas List 2018 - the first time a Chinese national made it to the top of the list. He is also listed in the "100 Greatest Living Business Minds" by Forbes. In addition, he was listed on the "50 Most Influential Business Leaders in China" and "30 Most Influential Investors in China" by Fortune from 2015 to 2020, and placed within the "Top 20 Venture Capitalists Worldwide" by New York Times and CB Insights from 2016 to 2019.

Mr Shen serves a number of philanthropic and public organisations and industry associations, including as Vice Chairman of the VC Funds Committee of Asset Management Association of China, Member of the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s Council of Advisors on Innovation and Strategic Development, Member of HKEX International Advisory Council, Chairman of Yale Center Beijing Executive Council, Trustee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Director of Yabuli China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF).

He received his Master's degree from Yale University and Bachelor's degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Dr Yu Xuefeng is the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of CanSino Biologics Inc. He received his Master's degree in microbiology from Nankai University in 1988, and his Doctor's degree in microbiology from McGill University in Canada in 1997. In 1998, Dr Yu joined Sanofi Pasteur in Canada and successively held the positions of scientist of product development and the global director of bacterial vaccine development, where he was one of the youngest executives of the Toronto branch.

In 2009, Dr Yu returned back to China and established CanSino Biologics Inc. (CanSinoBIO), an innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to exploring the best solutions in the prevention of diseases through cutting edge research & development, advanced manufacturing and commercialisation of innovative vaccine products for human use worldwide. With his 30 years of experience in the development of biological products and enterprise management and operation, CanSinoBIO has currently built the pipelines of 16 vaccine candidates for 13 infectious diseases, including a globally innovative Recombinant Ebola Virus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) approved in 2017, the Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) and the Group A and Group C Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (CRM197) (MCV2) Menphecia approved in 2021.

Dr Yu also led the construction of the company's first vaccine manufacturing facility, whose design, construction and operation conform to international GMP standards. In 2019, CanSinoBIO was successfully listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as the Sci-Tech Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Led by Dr Yu and his team, CanSinoBIO will continuously launch a number of high-quality and innovative vaccines. 

Dr Yu Xuefeng is the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of CanSino Biologics Inc. He received his Master's degree in microbiology from Nankai University in 1988, and his Doctor's degree in microbiology from McGill University in Canada in 1997. In 1998, Dr Yu joined Sanofi Pasteur in Canada and successively held the positions of scientist of product development and the global director of bacterial vaccine development, where he was one of the youngest executives of the Toronto branch.

In 2009, Dr Yu returned back to China and established CanSino Biologics Inc. (CanSinoBIO), an innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to exploring the best solutions in the prevention of diseases through cutting edge research & development, advanced manufacturing and commercialisation of innovative vaccine products for human use worldwide. With his 30 years of experience in the development of biological products and enterprise management and operation, CanSinoBIO has currently built the pipelines of 16 vaccine candidates for 13 infectious diseases, including a globally innovative Recombinant Ebola Virus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) approved in 2017, the Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) and the Group A and Group C Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (CRM197) (MCV2) Menphecia approved in 2021.

Dr Yu also led the construction of the company's first vaccine manufacturing facility, whose design, construction and operation conform to international GMP standards. In 2019, CanSinoBIO was successfully listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as the Sci-Tech Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Led by Dr Yu and his team, CanSinoBIO will continuously launch a number of high-quality and innovative vaccines. 

Ms Christina Bao, Managing Director, is currently the Co-Head of Sales & Marketing at HKEX. 

Ms Bao joined HKEX in 2016 as the Chief of Staff, reporting to the CE of HKEX. She was responsible for the planning and oversight of the Group’s strategic projects.

Prior to joining HKEX, Christina held a number of senior positions at Ping An Bank (previously at Shenzhen Development Bank, which merged with Ping An Bank in 2010) since 2001. At Shenzhen Development Bank, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO from 2005 until 2010, and was responsible for the bank’s strategic projects, Investor Relations and Public Relations. After the merger and integration of the two banks, she headed Retail e-Banking, Service & Marketing, and the Retail e-Finance Strategic Business Unit for Ping An Bank.

Ms Bao received her Master of Business Administration (Finance, General) from the Peking University of Mainland China.

Ms Christina Bao, Managing Director, is currently the Co-Head of Sales & Marketing at HKEX. 

Ms Bao joined HKEX in 2016 as the Chief of Staff, reporting to the CE of HKEX. She was responsible for the planning and oversight of the Group’s strategic projects.

Prior to joining HKEX, Christina held a number of senior positions at Ping An Bank (previously at Shenzhen Development Bank, which merged with Ping An Bank in 2010) since 2001. At Shenzhen Development Bank, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO from 2005 until 2010, and was responsible for the bank’s strategic projects, Investor Relations and Public Relations. After the merger and integration of the two banks, she headed Retail e-Banking, Service & Marketing, and the Retail e-Finance Strategic Business Unit for Ping An Bank.

Ms Bao received her Master of Business Administration (Finance, General) from the Peking University of Mainland China.

Ms Silvia Chen is currently the Head of China Issuer Services at HKEX.  

Ms Chen joined HKEX in 2018. Prior to joining HKEX, Ms. Chen was an Executive Director at HSBC Global Banking and Capital Markets, working with Chinese enterprises on equity capital markets related matters in Hong Kong. She has led a number of landmark financing activities for Chinese and International corporates in the fields of IPO, share placement, and convertible bond issuance. Ms. Chen started her career at Merrill Lynch as an investment banking analyst, covering Retail and Consumer Products Sectors.

Ms Silvia Chen is currently the Head of China Issuer Services at HKEX.  

Ms Chen joined HKEX in 2018. Prior to joining HKEX, Ms. Chen was an Executive Director at HSBC Global Banking and Capital Markets, working with Chinese enterprises on equity capital markets related matters in Hong Kong. She has led a number of landmark financing activities for Chinese and International corporates in the fields of IPO, share placement, and convertible bond issuance. Ms. Chen started her career at Merrill Lynch as an investment banking analyst, covering Retail and Consumer Products Sectors.

Ms Winnie Han is the Senior Vice President of Global Issuer Services at HKEX. Her key focus is on market development, introducing and promoting the HKEX IPO platform to potential issuers, investors, governments, associations and intermediaries.

Prior to her current role, Ms Han has over 10 years of experience in China A-share investment banking coverage at UBS and Credit Suisse. She holds a China A-share Sponsor Representatives Qualification and a Certified Public Accountant Qualification of China (non-practicing).

 Ms Han received her Master’s degree from Peking University and Bachelor’s degree from Xiamen University.

Ms Winnie Han is the Senior Vice President of Global Issuer Services at HKEX. Her key focus is on market development, introducing and promoting the HKEX IPO platform to potential issuers, investors, governments, associations and intermediaries.

Prior to her current role, Ms Han has over 10 years of experience in China A-share investment banking coverage at UBS and Credit Suisse. She holds a China A-share Sponsor Representatives Qualification and a Certified Public Accountant Qualification of China (non-practicing).

 Ms Han received her Master’s degree from Peking University and Bachelor’s degree from Xiamen University.

Dr Amit Kakar joined Novo Holdings Asia in August 2020 as Head of Asia to lead investments and partnerships across the region, focusing primarily on the markets in China, South East Asia and India.

Dr Kakar has more than 25 years of healthcare experience with several senior management roles across the globe and having worked in India, China, Singapore, Denmark and the USA. Previously, he workedwith Everlife Asia based in Singapore as Head of M&A and Business Development, and with the Avenue Capital Group as Head of Healthcare Investments for Asia and with GE Healthcare in several senior leadership positions.

Dr Kakar is a Medical Doctor with a postgraduate degree in Radiation and Nuclear Medicine from Tata Memorial Hospital and Cancer Centre in Mumbai, India.

Dr Amit Kakar joined Novo Holdings Asia in August 2020 as Head of Asia to lead investments and partnerships across the region, focusing primarily on the markets in China, South East Asia and India.

Dr Kakar has more than 25 years of healthcare experience with several senior management roles across the globe and having worked in India, China, Singapore, Denmark and the USA. Previously, he workedwith Everlife Asia based in Singapore as Head of M&A and Business Development, and with the Avenue Capital Group as Head of Healthcare Investments for Asia and with GE Healthcare in several senior leadership positions.

Dr Kakar is a Medical Doctor with a postgraduate degree in Radiation and Nuclear Medicine from Tata Memorial Hospital and Cancer Centre in Mumbai, India.

Ms Nisa Leung is a Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners, and is leading its health care investments. Qiming Venture Partners is a leading investment firm in China which currently manages investment in over 380 companies.

Ms Leung currently sits on the board of Zai Lab, Venus MedTech, CanSino Biologics and New Horizon Health among others.

Ms Leung has been recognised by the Forbes Global 100 VC Midas List in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and named amongst the Best Women VCs List by Forbes China (#2 in 2021, #3 in 2018).

Ms Leung earned her M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business and B.S. from Cornell University. She is currently a visiting lecturer at Harvard Law School and Advisory Council Member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a committee member on Innovation, Technology and Re-industrialisation and serves as an independent non-executive director of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

Ms Nisa Leung is a Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners, and is leading its health care investments. Qiming Venture Partners is a leading investment firm in China which currently manages investment in over 380 companies.

Ms Leung currently sits on the board of Zai Lab, Venus MedTech, CanSino Biologics and New Horizon Health among others.

Ms Leung has been recognised by the Forbes Global 100 VC Midas List in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and named amongst the Best Women VCs List by Forbes China (#2 in 2021, #3 in 2018).

Ms Leung earned her M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business and B.S. from Cornell University. She is currently a visiting lecturer at Harvard Law School and Advisory Council Member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a committee member on Innovation, Technology and Re-industrialisation and serves as an independent non-executive director of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

Mr Michael Chan is a Senior Vice President of Global Issuer Services who heads the international IPO and issuer marketing efforts for HKEX. Mr Chan mainly focuses on market development work promoting the Hong Kong listing platform and origination work attracting international and biotechnology companies to list in Hong Kong. In addition to leading the marketing efforts globally and working closely with prospects and constituents, Mr Chan often speaks and serves as panellist and keynote speaker at major conferences and events locally and internationally. Prior to his current role, Mr Chan has worked at the Listing Division of HKEX for 8 years covering areas of compliance, corporate governance, regulatory and IPO-related matters.

Prior to joining HKEX, Mr Chan has worked at various financial institutions in corporate finance and business development. Michael has more than 19 years of experience in financial services and regulatory work.

Mr Michael Chan is a Senior Vice President of Global Issuer Services who heads the international IPO and issuer marketing efforts for HKEX. Mr Chan mainly focuses on market development work promoting the Hong Kong listing platform and origination work attracting international and biotechnology companies to list in Hong Kong. In addition to leading the marketing efforts globally and working closely with prospects and constituents, Mr Chan often speaks and serves as panellist and keynote speaker at major conferences and events locally and internationally. Prior to his current role, Mr Chan has worked at the Listing Division of HKEX for 8 years covering areas of compliance, corporate governance, regulatory and IPO-related matters.

Prior to joining HKEX, Mr Chan has worked at various financial institutions in corporate finance and business development. Michael has more than 19 years of experience in financial services and regulatory work.