Jun Xing and Louise Traylor
Yingwen Dong is the global head of biostatistics in rare disease and rare blood disorders at Sanofi, where she is responsible for providing strategic inputs into the overall strategy and development program and leading a team of statisticians to work cross-functionally. The role requires a balance of technical and business acumen, as well as soft skills to communicate and influence effectively. She earned her PhD in statistics from the University of Minnesota and has 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She is an International Chinese Statistical Association representative on the 2024 JSM Programming Committee. Additionally, she is a steering committee member for the 2024 ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop and was recently elected its 2025 industry co-chair. Finally, she served as the vice chair of the ASA Committee on Membership Retention and Recruitment in 2023.
In a recent statistical leadership forum at Sanofi, Jun Xing, biostatistics team leader of global medical affairs and diabetes/cardiovascular development at Sanofi, had the opportunity to interview Yingwen Dong, the global head of biostatistics in rare disease and rare blood disorders at Sanofi. Here, he shares that interview and the insights Dong offered.
I would love to start by hearing about your background and journey leading up to this point. Can you please talk about some key moments in your career that have prepared you for this new role as global head of biostatistics in rare disease and rare blood disorders?
I really appreciate the opportunities I’ve been given and want to thank all my colleagues, managers, and mentors who guided me to excel in my career. Reflecting on my journey, I believe the key moments that prepared me for this new role were the times when my responsibilities and the scope of work evolved, providing me with essential experiences.
I started my career as a clinical statistician in early clinical development, where three years of experience facilitated my transition from a fresh graduate student to an industry statistician. This position offered me a comprehensive understanding of the statistician’s role in a pharmaceutical company, from both technical and operational perspectives.
Subsequently, I transitioned to late-phase clinical development, assuming the role of a study lead statistician for a pivotal phase 3 study in neurology. This shift expanded my experience from early- to late-phase development, allowing me to understand and contribute to the study design, conduct, and reporting in a confirmatory trial setting. Despite the unfavorable results from the phase 3 study, I was presented with the opportunity to serve as the submission lead for a hemophilia project. This provided me with the chance to continue my journey in drug development and gain valuable experience in regulatory interactions, submission, and project management.
Another milestone was joining Sanofi in the oncology area. This move broadened my knowledge in a new therapeutic area and exposed me to innovative designs and ideas. Additionally, taking on the role of a people manager marked an important milestone, allowing me to acquire people management skills and organizational experience.
The entire career journey equipped me with the essential experience and afforded me the chance to cultivate and enhance the leadership skills essential for the new role.
Thank you. I see very clear steps in your career path. Transitioning to a different position and moving to a different therapeutic area can be a demanding endeavor. How did you manage to get the opportunity? What strategies did you use to quickly learn and adapt to new knowledge and dynamics?
That’s a great question. I think you’re asking me how I managed to convince the hiring manager to bring me on board, even when I lacked the desired experience for the role at that time. First, I consider myself lucky. The hiring managers I engaged with were all open-minded and willing to have an initial conversation. Having an apparent weakness sometimes turned out to be advantageous, especially when addressing questions about weaknesses during the interview. I used it as an opportunity to acknowledge my lack of experience and transformed it into motivation for applying for the new role. In the conversation, I outlined a plan for how I intended to bridge the experience gap and bring myself up to speed. I also leveraged experience and past achievements, emphasizing my potential to quickly acquire new skills necessary for the new role. For internal job transfers, having advocates such as previous managers, collaborators, or stakeholders proved invaluable. One of my internal transfers, for instance, was facilitated by my previous manager, who convinced the new manager to give me a chance. Having someone speak for you and your potential is immensely beneficial.
In terms of how to quickly learn and adapt to new knowledge, recognizing the gaps and pinpointing the aspects that require additional learning is crucial. Engaging with people who are experienced in the area can provide valuable insights. When you are new to a company or group, establishing a go-to person who is familiar with company processes, seeking out peers who can act as a sounding board for ideas, and connecting with mentors who can share their wealth of experience and offer guidance on navigating the new environment are extremely helpful. These strategies were proven valuable in my journey of transitioning into new areas and adapting to new work environments.
That was an impressive strategy of being transparent about your strengths and weakness, along with a motivated mindset, to convince the hiring manager. As you take on the role of the global head of biostatistics in rare disease and rare blood disorders, what do you perceive as the most significant challenges you will face? And how do you plan to approach those?
I plan to concentrate on the following three key areas:
- Acquiring disease area knowledge
- Getting to know the rare disease and rare blood disorders statistics team
- Establishing partnerships with cross-functional stakeholders
Despite having experience in hemophilia projects, providing strategic input into the overall strategy and development program in rare disease and rare blood disorders poses a new challenge. I started with conducting a thorough portfolio review, engaging in conversations with colleagues well-versed in this area, and seizing every opportunity to comprehend the unique challenges. Considering my recent integration into a new group, it is essential to acquaint myself with the team and gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they currently face. Engaging in one-on-one meetings and group discussions provides excellent opportunities to connect with team members and gather valuable insights.
Last, building partnerships with cross-functional stakeholders is a priority. Moving from oncology to rare disease and rare blood disorders involves interacting with different stakeholders. Setting up introductory meetings and actively participating in various forum discussions will facilitate a smooth transition.
It’s evident that embracing emerging opportunities requires diligent preparation while employing a proactive mindset. To help those in our audience who aspire to take the next big opportunity that comes their way, can you provide your choice of the top three pieces of take-home advice to help them get ready?
Happy to share my thoughts. First, know yourself. Be aware of your own interests, strengths, weaknesses, and understand your own passions and skills. This self-awareness will help you identify opportunities that align with your abilities and goals. Second, be prepared. Prepare yourself by continually learning and acquiring new skills. The more adaptable you are, the better you will be able to seize opportunities in different areas. Last, but not least, build a strong network. Find a diverse and extensive network of contacts in the field that will help you identify new opportunities. Networks not only offer valuable insights but also pave the way for possibilities.
Thank you, Yingwen. Know yourself, be prepared, and build a strong network. Well said.
Editor’s Note: A version of this interview originally appeared in the Biopharmaceutical Section’s spring report.
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