Kawa Chiu, Chief Technical Officer
Professional Overview
Kawa Chiu is a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive with over 25 years of experience in operational excellence, supply chain management, and technical operations. As the Chief Technical Officer at Abdera Therapeutics, he oversees the company's technological strategy, product development, and manufacturing operations to drive innovation and ensure the efficient delivery of life-saving therapies.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Technical Officer at Abdera Therapeutics since 2022, Kawa is responsible for leading the company's technical and manufacturing functions. He has been instrumental in optimizing the organization's production capabilities, implementing robust quality control measures, and establishing strategic partnerships to enhance Abdera's supply chain resilience. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant milestones, including the successful scale-up and commercialization of its lead product candidate.
Career Progression
Kawa's distinguished career spans various leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Prior to joining Abdera, he served as the Vice President of CMC, Manufacturing Systems and Supply Chain at Lyell Immunopharma, where he spearheaded the development and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes and supply chain strategies. Before that, he held global leadership positions at Genentech and Roche, where he was responsible for driving operational excellence, product supply chain planning, and technical strategy across their biologics and pharmaceutical portfolios.
Academic Background
Kawa holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.
Areas of Expertise
- Operational excellence and continuous improvement
- Biologics and pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Supply chain optimization and risk management
- Technical strategy and product development
- Quality assurance and regulatory compliance
- Cross-functional leadership and team building
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Kawa has been recognized for his contributions to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. He currently serves as a 2023 Boardroom Ready Member of the Executive Women in Bio program, where he leverages his expertise to empower and mentor aspiring female leaders. Kawa has also previously served on the Board of the Marin Health Council, where he provided strategic guidance on healthcare initiatives in the local community.
Conclusion
With his extensive industry experience, technical expertise, and proven leadership abilities, Kawa Chiu is a respected and influential figure in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. As the Chief Technical Officer at Abdera Therapeutics, he continues to drive innovation, operational excellence, and the successful delivery of transformative therapies to improve patient outcomes.
