Dr. Zhang and other partners launched Beta Chemicals, Inc. at Science Park at Yale in New Haven, CT, as a contract research organization (CRO) offering specialty chemicals and custom synthesis. Beta Chemicals evolved into Beta Pharma and in 1998 initiated its first drug discovery project. The first major breakthrough came in 2002 with the synthesis of a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Icotinib. Zhang partnered with investors and in 2011 Icotinib HCl was granted marketing approval in China under the brand name Conmana®. Zhang then refocused Beta Pharma’s efforts towards Icotinib’s development globally and the company successfully filed an IND in the U.S. for Icotinib HCl and has been given approval to begin Phase I clinical trials. Dr. Zhang and other partners launched Beta Chemicals, Inc. at Science Park at Yale in New Haven, CT, as a contract research organization (CRO) offering specialty chemicals and custom synthesis. Beta Chemicals evolved into Beta Pharma and in 1998 initiated its first drug discovery project. The first major breakthrough came in 2002 with the synthesis of a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Icotinib. Zhang partnered with investors and in 2011 Icotinib HCl was granted marketing approval in China under the brand name Conmana®. Zhang then refocused Beta Pharma’s efforts towards Icotinib’s development globally and the company successfully filed an IND in the U.S. for Icotinib HCl and has been given approval to begin Phase I clinical trials.

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