Chaofeng Liu

Chaofeng Liu’s career has been a remarkable journey shaped by his early fascination with statistics and a profound desire to apply his expertise to benefit human health. Born in Beijing, China, his academic path began with a strong foundation in Probability and Statistics at Peking University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. While at the university, he distinguished himself as an exceptional student and leader, receiving the Outstanding Student Fellowship and Young Scientist Award for his academic excellence.

Though his academic journey was already successful, Chaofeng felt a strong drive to use his knowledge beyond the classroom, especially in healthcare. This motivation led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Biostatistics at UCLA, followed by an Executive MBA from Purdue University. These degrees provided him with the scientific and business tools needed to address complex challenges within the pharmaceutical industry, combining statistical methods with business strategy for the greater good.

Over the past 22 years, Chaofeng has substantially impacted the pharmaceutical industry, working across various therapeutic areas such as oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases. His career began at Eli Lilly, where his innovative approach to statistical analysis and clinical trial design quickly caught the attention of senior leaders. This early success set the stage for him to take on senior roles at other major pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, PAREXEL, and Astellas Pharmaceuticals. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his leadership abilities, helping to guide clinical trials and drug development programs that have improved patient outcomes.

One of the most defining moments in Chaofeng’s career at Astellas Pharmaceuticals occurred when he led the development of Gilteritinib, a first-in-class treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He was crucial in guiding the drug through early clinical trials, ultimately helping secure FDA Accelerated Approval for the treatment. This approval, followed by subsequent regulatory approvals from the PMDA and EMA, marked a significant milestone in the fight against AML, a disease with limited treatment options.

Throughout his career, Chaofeng has been a champion of innovation in clinical trial design. He has pioneered adaptive trial designs, which allow clinical trials to adjust based on incoming data, improving efficiency and shortening development timelines for new therapies. This approach has advanced the speed at which drugs are brought to market and enhanced their responsiveness to patient needs. His contributions to adaptive trial designs have been widely published, with his work featured in respected journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet Oncology.

Beyond his industry contributions, Chaofeng has also dedicated significant time to mentoring the next generation of statisticians and healthcare professionals. He has served as an adjunct professor at Purdue University for over a decade, teaching students about the practical applications of biostatistics in clinical research. He has also made valuable contributions to professional organizations, including serving as President and Program Chair of the ASA Northern Indiana Chapter, where he worked to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the statistical community.

As Chaofeng Liu approaches his 60th birthday, his focus remains unwavering on improving healthcare outcomes through innovation and education. His career is a testament to his commitment to advancing the field of biostatistics and drug development, and his contributions will continue to have a lasting impact on the pharmaceutical industry for years to come.

Know More: LinkedIn, Behance