SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 25, 2025 – ADARx Pharmaceuticals is making waves in the RNA therapeutics landscape under the leadership of CEO Zhen Li, who has emerged as a key figure in advancing siRNA technologies with precision, partnership, and purpose. With a $200 million Series C financing round completed and a major strategic licensing deal secured with AbbVie, ADARx is expanding its pipeline while positioning itself for long-term commercial impact.
Forging a Leadership Path from Chemistry to Commercialization
Zhen Li, a Harvard-trained chemist, began her career in academia before transitioning to industry through a pivotal role at Merck. The experience profoundly shaped her view of pharmaceutical innovation. “When I got to Merck—wow. That puts a purpose to the work we do,” Li recalled. Her leadership trajectory continued at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, where she served as Senior Vice President, leading discovery and non-clinical development.
Li's journey reflects a deliberate shift from academic theory to real-world therapeutic application. “If I still had doubt [about], have I made the right decision to join a pharmaceutical company versus pursuing an academic job? I think a few months into Merck, I was very sure that, yeah, this is where I belong,” she said.
Strategic Synergy with AbbVie: More Than a Licensing Deal
ADARx’s partnership with AbbVie marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth. While the biotech had long been in discussions with large pharmaceutical firms, AbbVie’s specific interest in ADARx’s siRNA technology and its central nervous system (CNS) expertise proved decisive.
“They were interested in ADARx for its technology, not just as a one-off asset,” said Li. AbbVie’s antibody capabilities were also seen as a key value-add. “We had been talking about how to add that capability to boost the siRNA technology, so the partnership was a perfect fit.”
The deal extends beyond capital or pipeline expansion—it creates a platform for long-term collaborative innovation. AbbVie’s established commercialization infrastructure will be instrumental once ADARx’s assets near market readiness.
Robust Pipeline and Selective Partnering Strategy
ADARx continues to advance its unpartnered pipeline with focus and intent. Lead candidate ADX-324 targets hereditary angioedema, with a broader suite of early-stage programs underway. But Li is clear-eyed about the company’s bandwidth. “We cannot possibly do all of them,” she admitted.
To scale efficiently, ADARx is seeking additional partners that bring clinical development, patient access, and commercialization expertise. “ADARx on its own can’t build out a commercial infrastructure in so many disease areas,” Li emphasized.
Financial Strength and IPO Readiness
The company’s financial health is another pillar of its strategy. The oversubscribed $200 million Series C in 2023, which saw demand reaching $400 million, has positioned ADARx with ample runway. “We literally turned down $200 million,” Li said. “We are in control of the timing of our IPO.”
With current market volatility, Li prefers to maintain flexibility rather than rush to go public. “The market’s just too choppy, and we have cash,” she explained.
Engineering Excellence Meets Scientific Vision
While Li resisted following her family into engineering, her leadership today is a fusion of engineering discipline and scientific creativity. “Now more and more, I see my engineering heritage in me. Because to develop good [treatments], then you make it really, really well, right? That’s engineering.”
Her leadership style, rooted in results and mission-driven science, is informed by Merck founder George Merck’s ethos: “It is not for the profits. The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear.”
Conclusion: A Vision Beyond the Lab
With strategic partnerships, a growing siRNA portfolio, and strong investor support, ADARx is charting a clear course toward therapeutic innovation and market readiness. Zhen Li’s leadership—bridging chemistry, engineering, and enterprise—continues to shape the future of RNA therapeutics.
Learn more at www.adarx.com