Cathay Biotechnology and Dr. Liu's Journey

Published 01 Sep 2005
Reference 5273
Region Asia
Length 20 page(s)
Summary

Dr. Xiucai Liu, returning from the USA to China with a Ph.D. and industry research experience, started several new ventures in the life sciences, the latest being Cathay Biotech. The case describes his experiences as he has navigated China's complex business environment and built a biotech firm that is poised to compete with global incumbents in the fine chemicals industry based on its own proprietary technology. He has had to learn, not only as a scientist-turned-CEO, but also as a Chinese returning to a dramatically changed and still-changing China.

Teaching objectives

The case highlights the management challenges that even a Chinese will face in establishing a new firm in China, and gives illustrations of successful responses. It also provides the basis for discussing the internationalization challenge; namely, how a high-tech firm from an emerging,

Keywords
  • AR2005
  • AR0506
  • RD0905
  • CHINA
  • BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • ENTREPRENEUR
  • SHANGHAI
  • HIGH-TECH
  • START-UP
  • RETURNEE