Press Releases

2022

WuXi Biologics Furthers DE&I Commitment with Dedicated Advocacy for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

News

Feb. 23, 2022

WuXi Biologics Furthers DE&I Commitment with Dedicated Advocacy for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

WuXi Biologics has recently formed a WiSTEM (Women in STEM) committee, together with its subsidiary WuXi Vaccines, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Devoted to spearheading career development of women professionals in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the WiSTEM committee currently consists of female employees from different sectors with different job titles, ethnic backgrounds, etc., and is aimed to foster healthier business and culture with greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).

The United Nations General Assembly declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015 to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Recognizing the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries, but also as agents of change, the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly focuses on the topic: “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”.

As addressed by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in the video message on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022, “The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased gender inequalities that are depriving our world of enormous untapped talent and innovation. We need women’s perspectives to make sure science and technology work for everyone and ensure women have access to the same learning and work opportunities on a level playing field. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I call on everyone to create an environment where women can realize their true potential and today’s girls become tomorrow’s leading scientists and innovators, shaping a fair and sustainable future for all.”

“DE&I is critical in the workplace to ensure we have different perspectives, experience and insights reflected in business decisions. Through our conscious efforts to ensure DE&I in the workplace, we can tap into greater creativity and problem solving. Despite significant improvements in the last couple of years, women are still under-represented in STEM,” said Rosarie McCarty, the sponsor of WiSTEM committee and Director of Ireland Site Operation. “This committee, through the provision of information on career possibilities and through the simple act of being a role model, will offer a glimpse into the reality of being a female employed in the field of STEM.”

The WiSTEM committee improves DEI at workplace that is shared by not only female workers but all in Ireland site. This brings out the best opinion exchanges through core issue discussions, e.g., “stay curious about different cultures”; “avoid preconceptions and stereotypes”, and “care for minorities”.

DE&I in WuXi Biologics

Earlier this year, WuXi Biologics achieved its major developmental milestone of 10,000 employees worldwide, with experienced talents from China, the United States, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Malaysia, Japan and other countries or regions. The company has over 50% of female employees and female leaders in the total workforce and their contributions are essential to the company’s success.

Compared with a team of merely 70 people when the company was founded ten years ago, the number of employees has increased by 140 times, and the retention rate is much higher than the industry average. The company so far has built one of the largest biologics CRDMO teams in the industry, composed of more than 4,000 scientists, of which nearly 650 have doctoral degrees or equivalent.

In WuXi Biologics, every employee is the unique ambassador of its brand image and PROUD culture to jointly create a diverse and inclusive workplace.

“In our daily work, we shorten the time of developing a drug through robust processes, keep reducing costs of drug manufacturing through technological advances, thereby creating values for customers, and bringing benefit to patients all over the world. This is the PROUD culture that WuXi Biologics has brought to me.” commented, Dr. Tianle Qian, a scientist from the company’s Biologics Development team in China.

Yvonne Tsang, an engineer from European Biologics Manufacturing team, said, “WuXi Biologics is an incredible company to work for. It will encourage you to work to the best of your ability and present lots of opportunities to progress. Everyone is willing to help one another. WuXi Biologics being one of the most leading companies in the biopharma industry attracted me to work here. Another bonus is that it is being built in my hometown in County Louth; I knew I had to be a part of this exciting new biologics company in Dundalk in Ireland.”

DE&I is of great importance to drive forward the continuous innovation and sustainable development of WuXi Biologics. As an equal opportunity employer, WuXi Biologics recruits employees based on their professional and academic achievements regardless of religion, disability, age, race, color, sex, or marital status.

It has formulated the Employee Diversity Policy in accordance with the company’s Code of Conduct to promote a corporate culture that values and fosters a diverse workforce and has established a dedicated team to provide employees with training courses featuring unconscious bias, inclusive female leadership and emotion management to encourage employees to constantly pursue career growth and success.

Persistently putting people first, WuXi Biologics has been advocating optimism, creativity, diversity, work-life balance among employees by organizing various sports and recreational activities to improve their physical and mental health as well as cohesion and sense of belonging. Besides, the company’s commitment to DE&I also reflects in talent development practices, including the launches of Fresh Water Program, Elite Program, Global Mobility Program, and On-the-job Postgraduate Program, etc.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, WuXi Biologics has established a global Volunteer Association that serves as an interactive and communicative platform for employees to improve their volunteer knowledge and service skills, and to show care, love, and attention for the underprivileged. In 2021, the Association enabled nearly 800 global volunteers in 22 well-organized public services for patient caring, education support, community engagement and environment protection, in total contributing over 3,100 service hours.

Contacts

Media
PR@wuxibiologics.com

Investors
IR@wuxibiologics.com

WuXi Biologics Wins CMO Leadership Awards in All Six Core Categories for Fifth Consecutive Year

WuXi Biologics Statement

List