Introduction

Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from BRIM Biotechnology, Ascendo Biotechnology was built on a singular insight: that the innate immune system holds the key to unlocking durable responses in cancers and autoimmune diseases where current therapies fall short.

Today, we are a clinical-stage company advancing ASD141 — a first-in-class anti-CD11b monoclonal antibody — through Phase I trials in patients with advanced solid tumors. Our pipeline addresses a scientifically validated but commercially underexplored axis in immune biology. We are headquartered in Taiwan and have a global scientific advisory board and an investor base that includes institutional funds, family offices, and strategic corporate investors.

Our Team

Our team brings together world-class expertise in immunology, clinical drug development, and biotech venture strategy. With decades of experience at leading global pharmaceutical companies — including Allergan, Bayer, Takeda, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, and CRISPR Therapeutics — and deep roots in Taiwan’s academic and clinical research community, we are uniquely positioned to translate cutting-edge innate immune science into transformative therapies for patients worldwide.

DR. Du-Shieng Chien
CHAIRMAN / CEO

Dr. Chien brings over 40+ years of pharmaceutical R&D leadership, including senior roles at Allergan, Bayer, and Neurogen. He holds a Ph.D. in Biopharmaceutics from the University of Iowa and previously served as Associate Director of Biotechnology Research at Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes (NHRI). He has led multiple biotech ventures to commercialization, including as CEO of SunTen Phytotech.

Dr. Yen-Ta Lu
Founder / Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Lu is the scientific founder of Ascendo and the originator of the TLT-1/CD11b checkpoint hypothesis. As Chief of Chest Medicine at MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei, he has led translational immunotherapy studies across tuberculosis, sepsis, and oncology.

Dr. Hsueh-Yen Ku
Chief Strategy Officer

Dr. Ku drives Ascendo’s corporate strategy, business development, and capital formation. She holds a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Yale University and has previously served as CSO of Phalanx Biotech and Chairman & CTO of iCare Diagnostics International. Her expertise spans genomics, diagnostics, and biotech venture strategy.

Scientific Advisory Board

Our Scientific Advisory Board brings together leading experts in oncology, immunology, and drug development from world-renowned institutions and global pharmaceutical companies, providing critical scientific guidance as we advance our pipeline from bench to clinic.

Jang-Yang Chang, MD
Superintendent, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University

Distinguished Investigator and Director, Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, NHRI. Professor Emeritus and former Executive Vice President, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). Director, National Institute of Cancer Research, NHRI. Chief of Medical Oncology, Tri-Service General Hospital.

Wen-Chyi Shyu, PhD
CEO, BRIM Biotechnology, Inc.

VP, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Head of R&D Global Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Group Director of Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).

Shyh-Yuh Liou, PhD
Vice President, TFBS Bioscience Japan

Exclusive advisor, Translational Medicine Center & Discovery Technology Research Laboratories, Ono Pharmaceutical. Director of Clinical Pharmacology Group, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Director of Biomarker & Pharmacogenomics, Translational Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Frank Lee, PhD
VP of DMPK, Takeda Oncology Company (retired)

Senior Director of DMPK, Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Director of DMPK, DuPont Pharmaceuticals. Section Head of DMPK, Glaxo Wellcome. Senior Chemist of DMPK, Syntex Pharmaceuticals.

Tony Ho, MD, PhD
Independent Board Director, Iteos Therapeutics

CSO / Senior Science Partner, Pivotal BioVentures. Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology, UPenn. Assistant Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University. EVP, Head of R&D, CRISPR Therapeutics. SVP, Oncology Innovation and Integration, AstraZeneca.

Board of Directors

Our board combines scientific leadership, clinical development expertise, financial strategy, and investment experience — providing the governance and strategic guidance to advance Ascendo from clinical-stage to global impact.

Dr. Du-Shieng Chien
Chairman / CEO

Ph.D. in Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, University of Iowa. Senior R&D roles at Allergan, Bayer, and Neurogen. Associate Director, Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, NHRI. President and CEO of SunTen Phytotech and Efficient Pharma Management Corp.

Dr. Yen-Ta Lu
Founder / Chief Scientific Officer

Chief of Chest Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei. Lead investigator for immunotherapy drug development in tuberculosis and sepsis. Originator of the TLT-1/CD11b checkpoint hypothesis published in the Journal of Immunology (2023).

Wen-Chyi Shyu, PhD
Board Director

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, University of Connecticut. General Manager, Beiley Pharmaceuticals. VP of Global Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Japan. Senior Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).

Mr. Mark Wei
Board Director

MBA, George Washington University. Vice Chairman, Taishin Financial Holdings. Chairman, Shin Kong Financial Holdings and Shin Kong Life Insurance. Former Commissioner, Financial Supervisory Commission (Insurance Bureau), Executive Yuan.

Kevin Ho
Board Director

Kevin holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from University College London. He has served as Senior Director of Business Development and Clinical Development at Steminent Biotherapeutics, and as Senior Investment Manager at Taiwania Capital, bringing deep expertise in both biotech development and life science venture investment.

Backed by Leading Investors
Ascendo has raised capital from a consortium of institutional investors reflecting confidence in both our science and our clinical potential. Our investor base includes leading Taiwanese financial institutions, strategic industrial partners, and biotech-focused funds.