Hua Xu

Hua Xu is Director and Head of Chemical Biology and Proteomics at AstraZeneca, where he leads strategy and innovation in mechanistic biology, chemoproteomics, and targeted proteomic technologies. With extensive experience building capabilities for emerging modalities, including covalent inhibitors, PROTACs, molecular glues, and antibody-based degraders, Hua has advanced discovery programmes by integrating biochemical, cellular, and mass-spectrometry approaches. He has overseen cross-functional teams, driven proteomics-enabled hit identification, and strengthened translational decision-making across therapeutic areas. At the Summit, Hua will discuss how chemoproteomics and activity-based protein profiling can map target engagement in complex systems to guide compound selection and development.