James. J. Chen, Ph.D.

CEO & Founder

James Chen, CEO and Founder of Agno Pharmaceuticals, brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His career began at Merck & Co, where he spent 8 years as a CMC leader, followed by the founding and successful management of a US-based analytical CRO accredited by the US FDA. James is also recognized for his academic contributions, having served as a faculty member at the Pharmaceutical Training Institute (PTi) for 6 years. During his tenure, he conducted over 60 GMP CMC training courses across various cities in the US and Canada, catering to prominent pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, J&J, Novo Nordisk, and Merck AG. Known for his leadership acumen, James has overseen 11 successful FDA inspections throughout his career. He has authored more than 15 peer-reviewed scientific publications, showcasing his depth of expertise in analytical chemistry. James holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was mentored by Professor Stephen Weber. His academic pursuits also include an MBA from the University of Delaware, sponsored by DuPont Merck, following his earlier education with a BS in Chemistry from SUNY Stonybrook.