Location Lafayette, Indiana, United States Regions Great Lakes, Midwestern US Gender Male
Website chaofengliu.com/ Facebook View on Facebook LinkedIn View on LinkedIn X (Twitter) View on X
Chaofeng Liu’s career in the pharmaceutical industry began with a passion for understanding patterns and the statistical structures that govern them. Growing up in Beijing, China, he nurtured a strong academic foundation at Peking University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Probability and Statistics. His exceptional
academic performance was recognized early on with multiple honors, including the Outstanding Student Fellowship and the Young Scientist Award. These accolades highlighted his academic rigor and natural leadership abilities.
Chaofeng’s fascination with statistics went beyond numbers—it was about applying data to solve real-world challenges. His desire to make a meaningful impact in healthcare led him to further his studies in the United States. He earned a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from UCLA and later pursued an Executive MBA from Purdue University. This combination of statistical expertise and business knowledge prepared him to approach complex healthcare problems from a scientific and strategic perspective.
With over 22 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Chaofeng has worked across various therapeutic areas, including oncology and neuroscience. His professional journey began at Eli Lilly, where he quickly rose through the ranks due to his talent for statistical innovation and leadership. His roles at leading companies such as Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, PAREXEL, and Astellas Pharmaceuticals allowed him to refine his skills in clinical development, data analysis, and team leadership, making significant contributions to the advancement of numerous drug development programs.
A key milestone in Chaofeng’s career came during his time at Astellas Pharmaceuticals, where he played an integral role in developing Gilteritinib, a targeted therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He led the team from the first-in-human trials to accelerated FDA approval, and the PMDA and EMA later approved the drug. His leadership in this groundbreaking project demonstrated his ability to navigate complex scientific challenges while keeping the patient’s needs at the forefront.
Innovation has been a constant theme throughout Chaofeng’s career. He is known for pioneering adaptive trial designs that improve the efficiency and responsiveness of clinical trials. These innovative approaches have accelerated drug development while ensuring high scientific integrity. His work in this field has been widely cited and adopted, with contributions to leading medical journals like The Lancet Oncology and Statistics in Medicine.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chaofeng has also been committed to mentorship and team development. As Vice President of Biometrics and Data Management at EpimAb Biotherapeutics, he built the department from the ground up, recruiting top talent and creating a culture where innovation and rigor could thrive. His leadership extended to academic mentorship as well. He has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Statistics at Purdue University for over a decade, guiding students as they navigate the application of statistical theory in the healthcare industry.
Chaofeng’s success is rooted in his humility and dedication to his work. While he has earned many accolades, including the Astellas President’s Award, he remains focused on his mission to impact human health positively. At 60, he continues to contribute to developing new statistical methodologies and supports early-stage biotech companies. From his home in West Lafayette, Indiana, he continues to shape the future of clinical research and biostatistics, quietly and without fanfare. Through his contributions, Chaofeng Liu has left an enduring mark on the pharmaceutical industry and the field of biostatistics.
