Rui Zhang - Co-Founder & CEO, XGen Bio
Rui Zhang - Co-Founder & CEO, XGen Bio
Biography
Dr. Rui Zhang, Co-Founder & CEO of XGen Bio (www.xgenfuture.com), is a scientist passionate about improving human health through advanced technologies. With extensive experience in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology, Rui is committed to addressing the challenges faced by researchers in nucleic acid therapeutics. His work spans from discovery to GMP, aiming to enable the development of better medicines for patients in need. Beyond his scientific endeavors, Rui is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and has been involved in multiple business initiatives across different industries. This diverse experience has enriched his ability to bring innovative solutions to life sciences and beyond.
Interview
NanoSphere: Tell us a bit about yourself—your background, journey, and what led you to where you are today.
Rui: My core passion is to make a positive impact on human health by delivering next-generation genetic medicines to patients. Born and raised in a mid-sized city in China, I came to the U.S. during my senior year of college, then stayed on for my PhD, postdoc, and a few industry positions before starting my own entrepreneurial journey. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have encountered so many wonderful people along the way—friends, family, partners, and mentors—who have helped me overcome various challenges. The people I can rely on during difficult times are my greatest assets. At every stage of my career, I’ve had the support of thoughtful advisors and peers who helped me make some of the most critical decisions.
NanoSphere: From Academia to Entrepreneurship: You have a strong foundation in biotechnology and nanomedicine—what was the pivotal moment or motivation that led you to transition from the lab to launching biotech startups? How has your scientific training influenced your approach to business leadership, particularly as CEO of XGenBio? What were some of the most unexpected hurdles you faced when moving from research into company-building, and how did you tackle them?
Rui: I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart—a builder who loves identifying unmet needs and turning ideas into real-world solutions. Founding XGen Bio was a natural step that allowed me to pursue this passion fully. It gave me the freedom not only to bring innovative technologies to life, but also to make them accessible to many companies and researchers—not just one—so that more people can benefit from the best tools in genetic medicine. My scientific training gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and analytical thinking, which I now apply to business leadership. One of the biggest challenges was shifting from focused research to making fast, high-impact decisions amid uncertainty. I’ve learned to embrace that challenge by staying adaptable, surrounding myself with great people, and keeping the focus on improving human health.
NanoSphere: The Road Ahead: You hinted at new ventures on the horizon—without giving too much away, can you share what areas of biotech or health innovation you’re most drawn to for your next endeavor?
Rui: I’m a serial entrepreneur at heart—I love spotting new ideas and solving unmet needs. In genetic medicine, we’ve made great strides in delivery to the liver and, to some extent, extrahepatic tissues. But there’s still a vast opportunity in reaching other organs and expanding access to larger patient populations. That’s where I see the next frontier
Rui: I’m a serial entrepreneur at heart—I love spotting new ideas and solving unmet needs. In genetic medicine, we’ve made great strides in delivery to the liver and, to some extent, extrahepatic tissues. But there’s still a vast opportunity in reaching other organs and expanding access to larger patient populations. That’s where I see the next frontier
NanoSphere: If there’s one key message or insight you’d like to share with readers about the future of nanomedicine, what would it be?
Rui: I think we are just entering the beginning of the S-curve. When I first started working on nanomedicine back in 2014, few people believed in cell and gene therapy—let alone nanomedicine. Fast forward 10 years, and we’ve seen how nanomedicine, along with cell and gene therapy, has transformed the lives of many. And this is just the beginning—the future is going to be even brighter as these technologies continue to evolve and reach more patients around the world.
Rui: I think we are just entering the beginning of the S-curve. When I first started working on nanomedicine back in 2014, few people believed in cell and gene therapy—let alone nanomedicine. Fast forward 10 years, and we’ve seen how nanomedicine, along with cell and gene therapy, has transformed the lives of many. And this is just the beginning—the future is going to be even brighter as these technologies continue to evolve and reach more patients around the world.