Meta Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced that Dr. Helmut Haning, a veteran with nearly three decades of research and development experience in medicinal chemistry, has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Director of New Drugs Research and Development. Dr. Haning’s responsibilities include drug chemistry design and coordination of the company’s intellectual property and program development strategy. Additionally, he will collaborate with experts in bio-testing, pharmacokinetics, and translational science to establish and oversee preclinical drug development programs and translational science/medicine strategies. His role ensures comprehensive process planning and tactical oversight from concept to clinical study (IND) submission.

From September 1994 to August 1995, Dr. Anjin Xianyu conducted postdoctoral research in the group of Prof. W. Oppolzer at the prestigious University of Geneva in Switzerland. During this period, he achieved a significant milestone by developing the first total synthesis method for Alkaloid Clivonine.

From November 1991 to May 1994, Dr. Helmut Haning was engaged in doctoral research in the group of Prof. M.T. Reetz at the renowned Max-Plank Institute in Germany. During this period, he made significant discoveries related to the effect of ligands on the reactivity, chemistry, and diastereoselectivity of organo-manganese and organo-indium reagents, as well as manganese enolates.

Dr. Haning has an extensive background in medicinal chemistry and has successfully led several drug programs, including MR antagonist Finerenone, HIF PH inhibitor Molidustat, FGFR inhibitor Rogaratinib, and FXIa inhibitor (asundexian, Phase II), among others. He has also contributed to 18 publications in his field.

Before joining META Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Haning served as the Global Head of Medicinal Chemistry at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, a leading global pharmaceutical company. With nearly 30 years of experience in global drug discovery and team management, Dr. Haning has nurtured talented individuals in the field of drug discovery and development. His leadership has guided cross-functional teams, developed digital strategies for small molecule research, and facilitated innovative and transformative company growth.

Dr. Ke Xu, CEO of META Pharmaceuticals, said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Haning to our R&D team. Dr. Haning boasts an outstanding track record in leading drug discovery efforts and external collaborations. We eagerly anticipate accelerating our innovation in drug discovery under his leadership. Dr. Haning brings a wealth of experience, spanning basic drug discovery and development, regulatory and institutional interfaces, statistical strategy consulting, and resource planning and management.The addition of Dr. Haning signifies the recognition and endorsement of one of the pharmaceutical industry’s foremost talents. His expertise will enhance our ability to create world-class medical products based on cutting-edge biological theories. This appointment underscores Meridian Bio’s unwavering commitment to the highest-quality scientific principles and top-tier talent, further supporting our company’s growth.META Pharmaceuticals is committed to adhering to international standards of excellence and meeting the high demand for new drug development. Our goal is to establish META Pharmaceuticals as a truly original and world-class leader in drug discovery and development.”

Dr. Helmut Haning said:

“After nearly three decades in large pharmaceutical companies, I decided it was time for a change. I sought an enthusiastic young team engaged in innovative scientific research and dedicated to providing new treatments for patients in need. Additionally, I was intrigued by therapeutic indications that pushed boundaries, were novel to me, and would allow me to expand my expertise.
In the META team, I discovered everything I had been searching for: a small, highly committed group focused on cutting-edge science, where I felt my contributions would be valued. The team’s unity and spirit were inspiring. Dr. Ke, our leader, possesses a visionary perspective on how our scientific advancements can translate into effective treatments.
However, what truly motivated me was sensing a collective excitement about advancing molecules into clinical settings. For me, this remains the ultimate driving force: applying science to create novel therapies, moving programs through clinical trials, and ultimately benefiting patients.
I eagerly anticipate working with the META team and contributing to our success. I am optimistic that we can expedite a program into preclinical candidacy and continue developing new approaches to enhance the lives of patients affected by autoimmune diseases.

Innovation propels progress, and our talented team is poised to shape the future. Dr. Helmut Haning’s addition has infused META Pharmaceuticals with fresh energy, and together, we will forge the path toward small molecule drug discovery and development.”

META Pharmaceuticals 

Shenzhen Moyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd (META Pharmaceuticals), founded in August 2021, stands as China’s pioneering commercialized original drug discovery and development company. META Bio’s inception is rooted in a novel immune-metabolism biological theory. In June 2022, META Bio successfully secured substantial funding through its seed and Pre-A rounds, totaling hundreds of millions of RMB. Notable lead investors include Forcefield Ventures, XtalPi Inc., IMO Ventures, Tiantu Capital, and Fangyuan Capital.

The founding team comprises accomplished biomedical doctors from esteemed research hospitals in the United States, specifically Cornell University Medical College and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. These experts have dedicated nearly a decade to exploring the emerging scientific field of immune metabolism. Their research delves into the intricate biological mechanisms governing the interplay between immune cells and nutrient metabolism. Remarkably, they have achieved breakthroughs in identifying therapeutic strategies that modulate immune system function by regulating immune cell metabolic activity.

This innovative therapeutic approach holds promise for targeting and treating a wide spectrum of chronic diseases stemming from immune system and metabolic system disorders. These encompass autoimmune diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, and chronic conditions associated with aging.