# Wenqing Yao

> Wenqing Yao is the founder and CEO of Synnovation Therapeutics, a precision-oncology biotech in Wilmington, Delaware. A medicinal chemist by training, he spent nearly two decades at Incyte building and leading its discovery chemistry engine, a stretch that produced five FDA-approved drugs including Jakafi. In 2021 he left to start Synnovation, which launched publicly in January 2024 with a $102 million Series A to advance best-in-class small molecules against highly validated targets, led by a CNS-penetrant, isoform-selective PARP1 inhibitor and a mutant-selective PI3K-alpha inhibitor.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Synnovation Therapeutics
- **Organizations:** Synnovation Therapeutics, Incyte, DuPont Pharmaceuticals / Bristol Myers Squibb
- **Education:** B.S., Chemistry, Xuzhou Normal College, M.S., Organometallic Chemistry, Nankai University
- **Known for:** Helped discover and launch five FDA-approved drugs at Incyte: Jakafi, Olumiant, Pemazyre, Tabrecta, and Opzelura, Built and led Incyte's discovery chemistry organization over nearly two decades, Founded Synnovation Therapeutics and raised a $102 million Series A led by Third Rock Ventures

## Career timeline

- **1996** — Joined DuPont Pharmaceuticals (later Bristol Myers Squibb) as Principal Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry
- **2002** — Joined Incyte as the second chemist at the company, eventually becoming EVP and Head of Discovery Chemistry
- **2021** — Left Incyte after roughly 19 years and founded Synnovation Therapeutics
- **2024** — Synnovation Therapeutics launches publicly with a $102 million Series A

## Achievements

- Helped discover and launch five FDA-approved drugs at Incyte: Jakafi, Olumiant, Pemazyre, Tabrecta, and Opzelura
- Built and led Incyte's discovery chemistry organization over nearly two decades
- Founded Synnovation Therapeutics and raised a $102 million Series A led by Third Rock Ventures
- Advanced Synnovation's lead PARP1 inhibitor (SNV1521) toward Phase 1 clinical studies
- Holds a Ph.D. and is a named inventor on numerous medicinal chemistry patents

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Synnovation Therapeutics launched publicly with $102 million in Series A financing led by Third Rock Ventures, with first-patient dosing of its lead PARP1 inhibitor anticipated shortly after.

## Links

- Website: https://synnovationtx.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wenqing-yao-a4754439

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/wenqing-yao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-04