Our Company

Our Story

Shanton Pharma is a clinical-stage biotech company founded in 2016, with a research focus on the unmet needs associated with gout, hyperuricemia, and pruritus. Our team focuses its resources on these important therapeutic areas through advanced and innovative drug research and developmental approaches.

The Shanton team has researched hyperuricemia and gout for many years, resulting in the development of our lead product, SAP-001 for the treatment of refractory and/or tophaceous gout and the prevention of asymptomatic hyperuricemia developing into gout. SAP-001 has been shown in clinical studies to be safe and effective in patients with symptomatic hyperuricemia and gout.

Our Leadership

  • Senior Management
  • Scientific Advisors
  • Bing Li, Ph.D.
    Bing Li, Ph.D.
    Chief Executive Officer

    Dr. Li carries more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, and is highly regarded as a strong business leader with extensive experience in creating/turning around businesses in pharma and biotech industries. Dr. Li’s previous positions include the founding CEO of LianBio (Nasdaq: LIAN), CEO of China Biologic Products (Nasdaq: CBPO), leader of Fosun global healthcare investment teams, leader of Warburg Pincus pharma/biotech practice in China, and management positions at GSK China and Eli Lilly. Dr. Li received a Ph.D. in Biology from University of Rochester, an M.B.A. from Kellogg Management School and B.S. from Fudan University.

    Wenfeng Miao, M.D., Ph.D.
    Wenfeng Miao, M.D., Ph.D.
    Chief Medical Officer

    Dr. Miao has an MD and PhD with years of clinical practice and academic research experience, and over two decades of pharmaceutical industry experience, including in clinical development and medical affairs in multiple therapeutic areas.

    Pieter de Ridder, MBA
    Pieter de Ridder, MBA
    VP of Business Development

    Pieter de Ridder is an experienced business development executive with a track record in the international biopharma industry. He has worked for global pharma (Organon, Diosynth) as well as high-growth emerging biotech companies (Synthon) in roles of increasing responsibility. He has negotiated dozens of deals for biotechs with large and midsized pharma, planned impactful product launches, and managed successful alliances. As the founder of a management consultancy, he assisted life sciences startups by writing impactful business plans and negotiating their first deals. Mr. De Ridder earned his bachelor’s degree from Avans Hogeschool in Breda, the Netherlands, and an executive MBA from Duke University – The Fuqua School of Business in Durham, NC.

    Shanshan Cui, Ph.D.
    Shanshan Cui, Ph.D.
    Director of Clinical Operations

    Dr. Cui has extensive experience in global clinical operations and program management. She has led clinical development programs in a variety of indications including rheumatology, neurology, infectious diseases, pulmonary diseases, and metabolic disorders. Dr. Cui has held leadership roles at both the sponsor and the CRO side. She obtained her PhD degree in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and her BS degree in Biological Sciences at Wuhan University.

    Carmen Arencibia
    Carmen Arencibia
    Associate Director of Clinical Operations

    Carmen Arencibia is currently the Associate Director of Clinical Operations at Shanton Pharma. Ms. Arencibia has worked in Clinical Operations for both Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology for the past 20 years.

  • Andrew Whelton, MD
    Andrew Whelton, MD

    Dr. Andrew Whelton is Professor of Medicine (Adjunct), also ex-Director of the Division of Nephrology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has over 50 years of pharmaceutical experience and focuses on Clinical Drug Development and Safety. He is a Special Government Officer, Consultant to the Food and Drug Administration and Member, ad hoc, of the Arthritis Advisory Committee Food and Drug Administration, appointed by Federal Government since the 1990s. Dr. Whelton is also an expert in the field of renal and cardiovascular disease. He has authored over one hundred and eighty scientific articles, book chapters and reviews on the topics of renal disease, cardiovascular, hyperuricemia and gout. He was also appointed as Chairman of Maryland Commission on Kidney Disease.

    N.Lawrence Edwards,MD,MACP,MACR
    N.Lawrence Edwards,MD,MACP,MACR

    Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards is Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, as well as Program Director and Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is the Chairman and CEO of the Gout Education Society, a non-profit, patient education organization, for the past 14 years (www.gouteducation.org). Dr. Edwards is an active member of many professional organizations including the American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians, the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine and is the Past-President of the National Society of Clinical Rheumatologists. Dr. Edwards obtained his undergraduate training at the University of Notre Dame and his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He has authored over one hundred and fifty scientific articles, book chapters and reviews on the topics of hyperuricemia, gout, and purine metabolism.

    William B. White, MD
    William B. White, MD

    Dr. William White is Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology in the Calhoun Cardiology Center at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he has worked for 40 years. In addition, Dr. White is the founder and former Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. Dr. White graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology/Chemistry and obtained his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia. He is the author of over 475 articles and book chapters, mainly in the field of cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics.

Our Impact

At Shanton Pharma our mission is to address the global clinical unmet needs associated with gout, hyperuricemia, and pruritus. Our ultimate goal for gout is to completely eliminate the disease.

We strive to bring innovative new medicines to patients and the medical communities we serve, by focusing on the development and commercialization of our core products.