Bill Harrison：信任，是因為我們一直在努力做得“更好” | 逐夢者說 | Bilingual

編者按：“讓天下沒有難做的藥，難治的病”，是初心，更是愿景。自成立以來，藥明康德步履不停：從一間實驗室，到覆蓋亞洲、歐洲和北美的全球網(wǎng)絡(luò)。從早期的化學(xué)合成服務(wù)，到貫穿研究（R）、開發(fā)（D）和生產(chǎn)（M）的一體化平臺。從第一位客戶，到全球三十多個國家的數(shù)千合作伙伴。不斷發(fā)展的，是規(guī)模與能力；始終堅守的，是夢想與承諾。

致敬來時路，共譜新篇章！在這一系列訪談中，我們以“逐夢者”視角，回顧藥明康德成長發(fā)展的崢嶸歲月，回望賦能客戶創(chuàng)新的并肩往事，更以獨特的“藥明精神”展望未來新篇章。

在Bill Harrison的眼中，人生的軌跡，從來不是一條預(yù)設(shè)好的直線。

他與伏特加酒的交集，源于一次偶然的凝視——在超市貨架前，他盯著那一排排伏特加酒，心中突然冒出一個靈感：為什么酒瓶一定要像貨架上那些千篇一律的透明或磨砂設(shè)計？

“我當(dāng)時就想，為什么不試試黑色呢？”他微笑著回憶道。

這個看似微小的創(chuàng)意火花，最終演變?yōu)橐淮瓮暾膭?chuàng)業(yè)實踐——從學(xué)習(xí)釀造工藝到嚴(yán)控品質(zhì)，再到將構(gòu)想真正落地，他親歷了每一個環(huán)節(jié)。

“做伏特加和做毒理研究，本質(zhì)上驚人地相似，”他說，“核心只有一個：質(zhì)量。你必須不斷測試、持續(xù)優(yōu)化，確保每一次輸出都精準(zhǔn)如一。”

也正是這種對卓越品質(zhì)的執(zhí)著，塑造了Bill Harrison的職業(yè)信念。從加入藥明康德的第一天起，他就被這支年輕而高效、追求卓越的團(tuán)隊深深吸引。“第一天我就知道，我做出了正確的選擇，”他回憶道，“這是一家一體化的研發(fā)服務(wù)平臺，匯聚了眾多聰明優(yōu)秀的人才，他們專注于‘做對的事’。”

如今作為藥明康德臨床前服務(wù)副總裁，他的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)哲學(xué)始終如一：以好奇心驅(qū)動改進(jìn)，以改進(jìn)贏得信任。

信任，源自長久的信賴

藥物發(fā)現(xiàn)常因突破性進(jìn)展登上頭條，但真正守護(hù)這些創(chuàng)新成果安全性的幕后功臣，是嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)而可靠的臨床前安全評價。

“臨床前評價是新藥開發(fā)非常重要的一環(huán)，”Harrison說道，“比如，在臨床前階段，毒理學(xué)就是評估藥物安全性的科學(xué)，證明一種新化合物不會致癌、不引發(fā)心臟毒性或生殖毒性——這是保護(hù)患者的第一道防線。”

圖片來源：123RF

在藥明康德，這項工作架起了化學(xué)與臨床之間的關(guān)鍵橋梁。任何新分子在進(jìn)入人體試驗前，都必須經(jīng)過一系列嚴(yán)格的臨床前安全評估，涵蓋毒理學(xué)、安全藥理學(xué)以及長期毒性研究等多個維度，并全面評估其對各器官系統(tǒng)的潛在影響。

“我們是候選藥物進(jìn)入臨床前的‘最終把關(guān)者’，”Harrison解釋道，“我們的數(shù)據(jù)為客戶的研發(fā)決策和監(jiān)管申報提供關(guān)鍵支持，決定一款藥物能否邁向下一階段。”

一直以來，藥明康德的毒理學(xué)團(tuán)隊是全球客戶值得信賴的合作伙伴。每一項研究均嚴(yán)格遵循美國FDA制定的良好實驗室規(guī)范（GLP）標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。“質(zhì)量與合規(guī)是我們不可妥協(xié)的底線，”他強調(diào)，“我們的FDA審計記錄就是最好的證明：迄今為止，從未有任何一項研究被駁回。”

然而，真正讓團(tuán)隊脫穎而出的，是卓越的靈活性與響應(yīng)速度。“如果客戶需要在兩周內(nèi)啟動一項研究，我們會排除萬難、全力以赴，”他說，“調(diào)整排期、重新調(diào)配資源，確保按時交付。正是這種敏捷性，讓客戶始終選擇我們。”

盡管這項工作高度專業(yè)化，其核心卻始終圍繞“信任”展開。“這是一個建立在信任基礎(chǔ)上的行業(yè)，”Harrison說，“客戶將他們最寶貴的科學(xué)成果托付給我們。而這份信任，需要每一天用專業(yè)、可靠和責(zé)任感去贏得。”

速度，源自高效的協(xié)同

在藥明康德高效可靠聲譽的背后，并非偶然的運氣，而是一套由頂尖人才與前沿流程深度咬合的精密“引擎”——它不只驅(qū)動項目前進(jìn)，更重新定義了行業(yè)能跑多快。

在Harrison所在的測試事業(yè)部中，下游的毒理學(xué)團(tuán)隊會與上游藥物代謝與動力學(xué)（DMPK）團(tuán)隊緊密協(xié)同，而支撐這種高效協(xié)作的，是一個先進(jìn)的數(shù)字化排期平臺。過去，調(diào)整一項研究計劃可能需要數(shù)小時人工協(xié)調(diào)、反復(fù)確認(rèn)；如今，系統(tǒng)在幾秒內(nèi)即可完成全局重排，精準(zhǔn)匹配資源、時間與優(yōu)先級。“這不只是提速，這是范式的轉(zhuǎn)變。”Harrison說。

“去年在一次客戶會議上，我展示了這個系統(tǒng)。會后一位其他公司的高管走過來對我說：‘你們遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)領(lǐng)先于行業(yè)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。’”Harrison回憶道。“我相信這一點。”

圖片來源：123RF

這套數(shù)字化系統(tǒng)已實現(xiàn)跨地域、跨職能的無縫協(xié)同。從蘇州到美國，從樣品入庫到研究主管調(diào)度，再到支持全球監(jiān)管申報，每一個環(huán)節(jié)都被清晰串聯(lián)。而真正讓系統(tǒng)“活起來”的，是背后每個人對全局的理解。通過高頻溝通與跨職能培訓(xùn)，每一位科學(xué)家都清楚地知道：自己手中的樣本，連接著哪位患者的希望；自己的數(shù)據(jù)，將支撐哪個關(guān)鍵決策。“我們不是在執(zhí)行任務(wù)，而是在拼一幅巨大的圖景，”Harrison說，“當(dāng)每個人都看得見藍(lán)圖，自然步調(diào)一致，高效前行。”

但再智能的系統(tǒng)，也無法替代人的信念。真正的“藥明速度”，源于一支敢于應(yīng)變、主動協(xié)作、并勇于突破邊界的團(tuán)隊，這才是核心所在。“我們曾應(yīng)客戶緊急需求，暫停一項研究一天，兩天后又迅速重啟，”他說道，“我們的信念很明確：沒有我們做不到的事。”

正是這種執(zhí)行力與創(chuàng)造力并重的文化，構(gòu)成了Harrison口中“藥明速度”的力量。它讓復(fù)雜變得清晰，讓挑戰(zhàn)化為機遇，持續(xù)推動全球創(chuàng)新藥物安全、高效、自信地邁向下一個開發(fā)階段。

改進(jìn)，從每一步中學(xué)習(xí)

對Harrison而言，卓越從不是一個可以蓋章封存的終點，而是一段永不停歇的精進(jìn)之旅。“每一項研究都在教我們新東西，”他說，“我們始終在追問：如何在不犧牲質(zhì)量的前提下，做得更快、更聰明、更高效？”

這種思維的種子，早在他職業(yè)生涯初期便已埋下。那時，他投身于質(zhì)量保證工作，在嚴(yán)格的法規(guī)框架中，第一次體會到專業(yè)判斷與持續(xù)創(chuàng)新之間的微妙平衡。“GLP標(biāo)準(zhǔn)里常出現(xiàn)‘足夠’‘適當(dāng)’‘充分’這樣的詞，”他解釋道，“它們不是非黑即白的冰冷條文，而是留有空間的藝術(shù)——需要經(jīng)驗去解讀，靠紀(jì)律去執(zhí)行，用好奇心去突破，以找到更好的方式。”

在藥明康德，這種理念早已融入日常。Harrison帶領(lǐng)團(tuán)隊反復(fù)審視研究設(shè)計、數(shù)據(jù)流程和數(shù)字系統(tǒng)，尋找那些看似微小卻可累積的優(yōu)化點：縮短幾天周轉(zhuǎn)時間、減少一次重復(fù)操作、簡化一頁報告模板，幫助客戶加速研發(fā)進(jìn)程。

“有時候，只是重新排序一個流程步驟，”他說，“但這樣的改變，可能為客戶爭取到關(guān)鍵的幾天時間。幾天時間，就能決定一款藥能否率先救人。”

而持續(xù)改進(jìn)，不止于流程，更是一種深層的自我對話。在蘇州的日子里，Harrison養(yǎng)成了一個特別的習(xí)慣：每當(dāng)面對復(fù)雜決策或思緒紛擾，他便會獨自出發(fā)，繞著金雞湖走完整整20公里，三小時步行，無會議、無郵件、無干擾，只有腳步與思想同行。

“散步是我最高效的思考方式，”他笑著說，“就像給大腦按下重啟鍵。當(dāng)你從嘈雜中抽離，問題反而變得清晰。你會開始問：我們真的在解決對的問題嗎？有沒有更好的路徑？然后，帶著新的視角，做出更有意義的執(zhí)行。”

圖片來源：123RF

正因如此，他從不把新項目視為單純的交付，而是一次系統(tǒng)進(jìn)化的契機。“我們不只是完成研究，更是在打磨這臺‘機器’——讓它每一次運行都比上一次更穩(wěn)、更快、更智能。”

“持續(xù)改進(jìn)，是日復(fù)一日的選擇，是我們對客戶的承諾，也是我們對自己專業(yè)的敬畏。”

未來，有無限可能

“真正的創(chuàng)新，始于一個‘為什么’；而真正的信任，來自你愿意為‘更好’多走一步。”在他看來，無論是改變一瓶酒的設(shè)計，還是加速一款新藥的研發(fā)進(jìn)程，驅(qū)動變革的，永遠(yuǎn)是那些敢于發(fā)問、并愿意把答案做到極致的人。

在藥明康德的舞臺上，Harrison的目光已投向遙遠(yuǎn)的未來。

在他看來，未來的藥物研發(fā)，必須讓安全與速度并肩而馳。“我們不會再在二者之間做選擇，”他說，“我們要的是：又快，又穩(wěn)。”

他堅信，創(chuàng)新將繼續(xù)重塑毒理學(xué)的邊界，而藥明康德的一體化模式，也更加契合未來發(fā)展的節(jié)奏。“這不僅僅是服務(wù)鏈條的整合，”他強調(diào)，“這是一種思維的升級——當(dāng)安全性與一體化高效整合，新藥的開發(fā)路徑將更清晰、更高效。”

而在這趟高速列車上，每一位員工都是關(guān)鍵的驅(qū)動者。“對我們的團(tuán)隊，我想說：系好安全帶，”他充滿信心地說，“因為藥明康德的速度只會越來越快。我們正在樹立標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，未來將是行業(yè)發(fā)展的快車道。”

這份信念的背后，是一種近乎本能的使命感。每當(dāng)他在園區(qū)走過，看到實驗室燈火通明，看到年輕科學(xué)家專注地分析數(shù)據(jù)，他總會想起那句深入人心的愿景：“讓天下沒有難做的藥，難治的病！”

“這不是一句口號，”他說，“這是我們的承諾。而我始終相信——未來，有無限的可能。”

Building WuXi AppTec’s Toxicology Business Around Trust and Flexibility

Editor’s Note: “Every drug can be made and every disease can be treated”.Since 2000,from a single laboratory to a global network spanning Asia, Europe, and North America; from early chemical synthesis services to an integrated platform that connects Research (R), Development (D), and Manufacturing (M); from its very first customer to thousands of partners across more than 30 countries, WuXi AppTec has never stopped moving forward to realize its enduring vision.

In tribute to the journey and in celebration of new beginnings, we look back through the eyes of our “dream-makers”: revisiting the stories of partnership that empowered global innovation, and the unique spirit that continues to guide us toward the next chapter.

Bill Harrison never set out to make vodka. He just wanted to design a bottle that didn’t look like every other one on the shelf.

“I was staring at a row of clear, frosted bottles and thought: why not a black one?” he recalls with a grin.

That small question turned into a full-fledged business venture: learning manufacturing, quality control, and the challenges of bringing an idea to life.“Whether it’s vodka or toxicology, quality is quality,” he says. “You test, refine, and make sure it’s right every time.”

That same mindset defines Harrison’s work today as Vice President of preclinical services at WuXi AppTec. From his very first day at WuXi AppTec, Harrison saw a young, energized team operating with precision. “Day one, I knew I’d made the right decision,” he recalls. “It was a turnkey operation, full of smart people who cared about doing things right.”

His leadership philosophy has remained the same ever since:curiosity fuels improvement, and improvement builds trust.

The Science of Safety

Drug discovery often captures headlines for breakthrough discoveries, but toxicology is the steady science that ensures those discoveries are safe for patients. “To oversimplify it,” Harrison says, “toxicology is drug safety testing. Our job is to prove that a new compound won’t cause cancer, heart issues, or reproductive problems. It’s how we protect patients.”

Image Source：123RF

At WuXi AppTec, this work bridges chemistry and clinical science. Before any new molecule can move into human trials, it must undergo a series of preclinical safety studies, ranging from toxicology and safety pharmacology to long-term studies. These studies assess how a compound behaves in the body, how it’s metabolized, and what effects it may have on different organs. “We’re the final checkpoint,” Harrison explains. “Our data helps clients and regulators decide if a drug is ready to move forward.”

Under his leadership, WuXi AppTec’s toxicology business has become a trusted partner to hundreds of small and midsize biotechnology companies worldwide. Every study meets the rigorous Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards established by the U.S. FDA.“Quality and compliance are number one,” Harrison says. “Our FDA track record shows that: no rejections, ever.”

But what truly defines his team, he adds, is flexibility and responsiveness. “If a client needs to start a study in two weeks, we move mountains to make it happen,” he says. “We adjust schedules, reassign staff, and still deliver on time. That agility is what keeps clients coming back.”

The work may be technical, but at its core, it’s about relationships. “This is a trust business,” he says. “Clients rely on us with their science, and that trust has to be earned every day.”

Powered by People and Process

Behind WuXi AppTec’s reputation for speed and reliability lies an intricate system powered by people and process. Harrison’s toxicology team works closely with upstream drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) groups, supported by an advanced digital scheduling platform that can reassign studies in seconds – a leap forward from the manual systems he once used.

“When I showed it at a customer meeting last year, one of the executives came up afterward and said, ‘You’re way ahead of the industry standard,’” Harrison recalls. “And I believe it.”

Image Source：123RF

This digital backbone allows teams across multiple sites to work seamlessly. Whether it’s managing test articles, coordinating study directors, or supporting international regulatory submissions, the platform keeps everything connected. Frequent communication and cross-functional training ensure that scientists at every level understand how their work contributes to the broader system.“Everyone knows the bigger picture,” Harrison says. “That’s what keeps us aligned and moving fast.”

But tools are only as strong as the people behind them – teams willing to adapt, collaborate, and push boundaries. “We’ve stopped studies one day and restarted them two days later at a client’s request,” Harrison says. “Our mindset is simple: there’s nothing we can’t do.”

That spirit – equal parts discipline and creativity – is what Harrison calls “the power of WuXi speed.” It’s how WuXi AppTec turns complexity into clarity and brings global programs safely, efficiently, and confidently to the next stage of development.

Continuous Improvement: Learning from Every Step

For Harrison, excellence isn’t the finish line; it’s a process of constant refinement. “Every study teaches us something new,” he says. “We’re always asking how we can do it better, faster, and more efficiently without ever compromising quality.”

That mindset is rooted in his early career in Quality Assurance, where he learned that regulations leave room for professional judgment and continuous innovation. “GLP standards use words like adequate, appropriate, or sufficient,” he explains. “They’re not black and white. You need experience to interpret them and the discipline and curiosity to do what’s right to make it better.”

At WuXi AppTec, that philosophy translates into everyday action. Harrison’s teams review study designs, results, and digital processes to identify small efficiencies that compound over time—cutting turnaround times, reducing redundancy, and streamlining reporting. “Sometimes it’s about rethinking a workflow or reordering steps,” he says. “Small refinements can add up to days saved for our clients.”

Continuous improvement is also a mindset of reflection. When in Suzhou, Harrison often walks a 20-kilometer loop around a lake – three quiet hours to think, recalibrate, and plan. “Walking clears my head,” he says. “It helps me see things from a different angle. That’s what improvement is about, taking time to think, then acting with purpose.”

Image Source：123RF

By cultivating that rhythm of reflection and refinement, every new study, he adds, is another opportunity to refine systems, shorten timelines, and build confidence.“Continuous improvement is how we keep our promise to clients,” he says. “And it’s how we keep getting better.”

The Future of Toxicology

Looking ahead,Harrison sees a future where safety and speed must advance together, and he’s confident innovation will continue to reshape the field.

And through it all, his conviction remains firm: WuXi AppTec’s integrated model will keep setting the pace. “For our employees,” he says, “buckle your seatbelts – WuXi AppTec’s speed is only accelerating; we’re setting the standard, and the future will move even faster.”

For Harrison, that pace – and the purpose behind it – keeps him inspired. “Every drug can be made, and every disease can be treated,” he says. “And there’s nothing our team can’t do.”

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