Biopharmaceutical executive Dr. Haijun (Lou) Dong has been named as managing director for DIA China.

“Dr. Dong brings considerable experience and expertise to DIA, with breadth and depth in the biopharmaceutical industry as well as in academia, and will continue to catalyze DIA’s presence and impact in China,” said DIA Global Chief Executive Barbara L. Kunz.

Dr. Dong previously held executive positions as CEO for Lilly China Research and Development Co., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, and was president and CEO of IMPACT Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Dong has been employed by Roche in China and the United States and other Chinese and international companies, serving in R&D, sales and marketing, business development and executive leadership capacities.

Among Dr. Dong’s recent awards and recognition is a full professorship at Nanjing University of Technology. He was named a “Leading Talent in Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship” by the Nanjing New & High Technology Industry Development Zone. He is a frequent speaker for Chinese and international conferences and on university campuses on such topics as China’s strategy for multinational pharmaceutical companies and career and life development choices for college students and young professionals. 

Dr. Dong holds an MBA from the China Europe International Business School and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Washington—building on his undergraduate training as a chemist. He brings considerable experience and expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry and academia to DIA, and will continue to accelerate DIA’s presence and impact in China. 

Dr. Dong assumes leadership of DIA China from Dr. Jane Cai upon Dr. Cai’s retirement from the role of DIA China regional director. It is largely due to Dr. Cai’s vision and effort that DIA China was established in 2011 as a legal entity, DIA Beijing Healthcare Information Consulting Ltd. Under Dr. Cai’s leadership, DIA China Annual Meeting participation doubled in attendees and exhibitors, annual educational programs increased exponentially, membership more than doubled, numerous virtual DIA Communities were established, and more technical and educational programs were conducted or will be implemented in 2014 through the DIA China Communities.