A cancer diagnosis for a close relative left Rao Zhiyue feeling helpless. Fortunately, another relative knowledgeable in medicine was able to analyze the pros and cons of different treatment options. “From that point on, I wanted to become a doctor,” he says.

After completing his undergraduate studies in clinical medicine, Zhiyue continued his training at the prestigious Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in China. He gained direct experience participating in clinical trials during his graduate years at the same university, spending three years working in the hospital wards.

His focus was on analyzing pathology reports and biomarker test results to guide diagnosis, carefully weighing treatment options to improve outcomes while minimizing side effects. 

Yet, Zhiyue felt a strong drive to do more: “While doctors can provide care to those who come to their clinics, developing new drugs has the potential to benefit countless patients within China and around the world.”

In 2010, Zhiyue transitioned from clinical practice to the medical department of a large multinational pharmaceutical company. He set out to help facilitate the regulatory approval process for more targeted therapies in China so that more patients could benefit.

Zhiyue joined Jacobio in 2022. He immersed himself in advancing glecirasib, Jacobio’s novel KRAS G12C inhibitor, overseeing all stages of the clinical journey from dose escalation and pivotal trials to regulatory submissions for New Drug Applications (NDAs) and the publication of results.

In 2024, Zhiyue played a pivotal leadership role in gaining the approval to begin all Phase III clinical trials for Jacobio’s combination therapy. He was responsible for setting clinical development objectives, designing robust trial protocols and managing programme risks.

“My diverse roles at Jacobio have allowed me to witness the incredible growth of the company. Seeing Jacobio’s first product nearing the market has been profoundly rewarding,” he says.