Dr. Samantha Du shares her perspectives in the book “Biotechnology in the Time of COVID-19”
“Cancer has no borders. COVID-19 has no borders. Thus, science and innovation cannot have borders.”
RosettaBooks, a leading independent publisher headquartered in New York City, announced the publication of Biotechnology in the Time of COVID-19: Commentaries from the Front Line, edited by Dr. Jeremy M. Levin, which highlights a collection of diverse viewpoints from over 45 thought-leaders in the biotechnology industry and their efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Samantha Du, Founder, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Zai Lab, was invited to contribute her perspectives and a look to the future.
For over forty years, the biotechnology industry has built an ecosystem of scientists, entrepreneurs, doctors, investors, venture capitalists, analysts, media, and bankers, all committed to advancing global health. In two months, leaders and companies at the forefront of biotech have pivoted from the work they were carrying on pre-COVID-19 to face off against the virus.
In her essay titled “From Different Parts of the World, We Can Fight COVID-19”, Samantha recalled the company’s decisive steps to put the interest of patients and employees first, and continuous actions to help frontline health care workers and biotech colleagues around the world, including several donations of cash and medical supplies. Also, she shared her vision for China’s role within the global health care arena which is embodied in Zai Lab.
“This recent pandemic has illuminated a glaring vulnerability of our world to the threat of disease, and I envision China stepping up in an even more significant manner in the coming years to play a major part in innovation, discovery, and development not just for China, but for the world in a globally coordinated effort to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s ‘new normal.’ ” Samantha wrote, “Cancer has no borders. COVID-19 has no borders. Thus, science and innovation cannot have borders. As we often say, we are all in this together.”
The editor royalties and a portion of publisher revenues will be donated to two nonprofits focused on rare disease research: Global Genes and The Institute for Life Changing Medicines.
A free download of Biotechnology in the Time of COVID-19 is available for a limited time on Amazon Kindle worldwide. The free Kindle promotion coincides with BIO Digital Conference (June 8-12) and the Rare Drug Development Symposium (June 11-12).
A paperback on Amazon and an Audible audiobook version of the book will be available the week of June 15.