Ge Li

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The native form of this personal name is Lǐ Gé. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Gé Lǐ
Lǐ in 2007
Alma materPeking University (BA)
Columbia University (PhD)
Occupations
Known forFounder of WuXi AppTec
SpouseNing Zhao (-2023)

Gé Lǐ (Chinese: 李革; pinyin: Lǐ Gé) is a Chinese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, serving as the founder and chairman of WuXi AppTec, a contract pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing organization (CRDMO).[1][2]

Early life and education

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Lǐ was born in Beijing, China and graduated from the Affiliated High School of Peking University. He received his B.A. from Peking University in 1989 and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Columbia University in 1994.[3][4][5] At Columbia, Lǐ's mentors included W. Clark Still and Koji Nakanishi.[6]

Career

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During his employment at Pharmacopeia, Inc., Lǐ traveled to China to establish a joint business venture.[7] Following this visit, in 2000, Lǐ left the company and co-founded WuXi AppTec in Shanghai with his wife, Ning Zhao.[8][9][10] In 2016, WuXi AppTec opened a facility in San Diego, California, expanding its presence in the United States.[11] The facility supports small molecule screening, discovery biology, and process research and development, as well as providing Phase I Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) services for North American clients. The company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange before being listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018.[12][13][14]

In 2011, Lǐ was selected a member of the Committee of One Hundred, a group of Chinese Americans in various fields.[15]

As of 2022, Forbes estimated Li's net worth at $10 billion, citing the growth and valuation of WuXi AppTec.[16][17] In 2020, Forbes listed him as the second-wealthiest American pharmaceutical businessperson,[18][19] and in 2022, Forbes China included him among the top ten Chinese CEOs.[20]

Controversies and national security concerns

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In response to proposed U.S. legislation targeting his company, Li co-signed an open letter in February 2024, rejecting what he called "blanket allegations and preemptive actions" against WuXi AppTec.[21] The BIOSECURE Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024, specifically names WuXi AppTec as having ties to "a foreign adversary's military, internal security forces, or intelligence agencies."[22] According to a detailed analysis by the Jamestown Foundation, Li has "participated intensely in CCP activities for decades" and has spoken publicly about "the central role of the Party in the WuXi Group's corporate activities as well as the role that WuXi Group plays in China achieving its national security and geostrategic science and technology objectives."[23]

Philanthropic activities

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In 2018, Lǐ and Zhao donated 100 million RMB to Peking University to establish the "Li Ge-Zhao Ning Education Fund". Following this contribution, they were named honorary trustees of the university.[24]

In 2020, the couple donated $21.5 million to Columbia University to support research and chemistry teaching.[25] In 2021, they contributed $20 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's research on lung cancer.[26][27]

Personal life and family

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Lǐ was married to Ning Zhao, a Peking University classmate and fellow Ph.D. graduate from Columbia University, who formerly served as WuXi AppTec's senior vice president and global head of human resources.[9][28] Zhao died on May 16, 2023, after a 20-year-long illness.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "Li Ge". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  2. ^ Tremblay, Jean-Francois (April 3, 2017). "WuXi, ShangPharma seek Chinese listings". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  3. ^ "Columbia Chemistry Receives $21.5 Million Gift from Alumni Dr. Ge Li and Dr. Ning Zhao | Chemistry". chem.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  4. ^ "MEMBERS". committee100.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  5. ^ "李革校友：为科学、知识与技术提供平台-北大教育基金会". www.pkuef.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  6. ^ "Landmark Gift Goes to Columbia Chemistry". Columbia College. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  7. ^ Tremblay, Jean-Francois (March 14, 2016). "C&EN profiles WuXi AppTec, Chinese contract research giant". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  8. ^ DiStefano, Joseph N. (28 June 2021). "China-based WuXi AppTec wins $19M from taxpayers for giant Delaware drug plant". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  9. ^ a b Bandell, Brian. "Biotech executive buys Fort Lauderdale mansion (Photos)". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  10. ^ Wang, Hepeng (2016-03-13). "C&EN profiles WuXi AppTec, Chinese contract research giant". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  11. ^ "WuXi's subsidiary (STA) opens facility in San Diego". Biopharma Asia. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  12. ^ "China's leading biotech research firm focused on US acquisitions". South China Morning Post. 2018-12-01. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  13. ^ "Well sequenced |". Week In China. 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  14. ^ AppTec, WuXi. "WuXi AppTec Reports Strong 2018 Annual Results". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  15. ^ "New Member: Ge Li | Committee 100". Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  16. ^ "Ge Li". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  17. ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index - Li Ge". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  18. ^ Parrish, Megan (May 11, 2020). "Pharma's richest of the rich in the U.S." www.pharmamanufacturing.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  19. ^ "15 people in healthcare among Forbes' 400 richest people in America". www.beckershospitalreview.com. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  20. ^ 赵诗悦. "Top 10 Chinese CEOs by Forbes China". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  21. ^ Becker, Zoey (2024-02-05). "WuXi AppTec plays defense against 'unfounded' allegations". FiercePharma. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  22. ^ Freifeld, Karen (2024-09-09). "US bill to restrict business with China's WuXi AppTec, BGI passes House". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  23. ^ Cheung, Sunny; Hope, Arran; Mattis, Peter (2024-02-29). "Red Genes: Assessing WuXi AppTec's Ties to the Party-Army-State in China". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  24. ^ "Alumni couple Li Ge and Zhao Ning donates 100 million RMB to Peking University". newsen.pku.edu.cn. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  25. ^ "Chemical Science Gets $21.5M Boost". Columbia Magazine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  26. ^ "Memorial Sloan Kettering Announces New Initiative to Focus on Lung Cancer Research". Newswise. May 13, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  27. ^ "Memorial Sloan Kettering receives $20 million for lung cancer research". Philanthropy News Digest. May 17, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  28. ^ "身家超500亿，这对学霸夫妇是如何做出一家医药龙头企业的？_李革". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  29. ^ "Pharma Billionaire Zhao Ning Dies At 56 After Battling Cancer For 20 Years". Forbes.
  30. ^ "China's pharma billionaire Zhao Ning dies aged 56". The Edge Malaysia. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2025-05-18.