From Wyeth/Pfizer to Jiangsu Hengrui to IMab to starting her own biotech, Joan Huaqiong Shen has seen many ups and downs of drug development in China. She sat down with Scrip on the sidelines of the recent DIA China meeting to discuss her latest startup devoted to novel small molecules to treat schizophrenia and epilepsy and a gene therapy for ALS.

The shockwave of WuXi's withdrawal from BIO is ripping through the Chinese contract services sector. While some remain hopeful, others are preparing Plan B.

Evopoint, I-Mab Biopharma (Hangzhou) and MAXVAX extended their funding with series E and C rounds, respectively, in February, amid signs that biotech investor sentiment in China may be recovering.

Several Chinese biotech developments during the Lunar New Year break have put investors on high alert, namely the continued share price slide of Chinese biotech bellwether WuXi Apptec, Lianbio ceasing operations and I-Mab divesting its China business to become a fully US-focused company.