SAPA Hosts 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration and International Women’s Day Gala

On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SAPA) hosted a grand Lunar New Year celebration and International Women’s Day gala dinner. The event brought together volunteers, sponsors, members, and friends who made significant contributions to SAPA over the past year. As the new year begins, both long-time supporters and new friends gathered to enjoy an evening of performances and celebration. The event welcomed the arrival of the Year of the Horse and marked SAPA’s 33rd year of dedication to serving its members and promoting development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Nearly 150 attendees participated in the evening’s festivities. Participants included researchers, executives, and founders from leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and universities, as well as professionals from consulting, investment, sales, and legal sectors. While enjoying dinner, guests had the opportunity to connect with peers, discuss current industry developments and future trends, share professional experiences, explore potential collaborations, and engage in lively conversation with colleagues and friends.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Yannan Liu, Senior Scientist at Bristol Myers Squibb, and Dr. Chunyu “Layla” Wu, Senior Scientist at Merck & Co.. The hosts opened the program by introducing the evening’s agenda, expressing gratitude to volunteers and sponsors for their support, and warmly welcoming all guests.

Dr. Wei Ding, Senior Director at AstraZeneca and current President of SAPA, delivered the opening remarks. He first extended his greetings to the women in attendance in celebration of International Women’s Day, and then reflected on SAPA’s growth over more than three decades into one of the most influential Chinese-American professional organizations in the United States. He also outlined several exciting events planned for 2026.

Following Dr. Ding’s remarks, the immediate past SAPA President Dr. Jack Wu, Senior Director at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, and President-Elect Dr. Lily Li, Associate Professor, offered their New Year’s greetings and wished attendees continued success in the Year of the Horse. They also expressed sincere appreciation to SAPA volunteers, leadership teams, and sponsors for their strong support throughout the past year.

The evening’s entertainment program began with a performance by the dance team from Bristol Myers Squibb consisting of Shiqi Dong, Jessie Yin, and Irene (Xinqun) Xu, whose graceful choreography showcased a captivating blend of classical elegance and modern energy. This was followed by a solo performance of the traditional Chinese piece Horse Racing on the Erhu by Yixiao Wang, a Level 10 erhu performer. The vibrant and powerful melody symbolized forward momentum and conveyed best wishes for the Year of the Horse.

Young musician George Yang then performed a violin arrangement of a classic song by Teresa Teng. The gentle and expressive melody evoked fond memories and nostalgia among the audience.

Following the musical performances, Xiaohu Liu presented a traditional kuaiban storytelling performance titled Wu Song Goes to the Fair. The lively narrative and animated delivery brought laughter and allowed the audience to appreciate the unique charm of Chinese folk performance art.

Another performance rich in traditional folk culture followed: a Fengyang Flower Drum presentation by performing artists Qinghong Xiao and Yixiao Wang. After their performance, the artists invited members of the audience to come on stage and experience the distinctive charm of the flower drum firsthand.      

The final performance of the evening featured the Feiyang Youth Ensemble, led by Jinzhong Award-winning musician Jin Yang. The ensemble delivered an impressive musical showcase featuring the handpan and the pipa, offering the audience a memorable audiovisual experience that drew enthusiastic applause.

As the evening approached its conclusion, the hosts invited event sponsors on stage to launch the lucky draw segment. Laughter and excitement filled the room as attendees eagerly anticipated the prize announcements. The generous prizes represented not only best wishes for the Year of the Horse but also heartfelt appreciation for the continued support of SAPA’s community over the past year.

The event concluded with the hosts offering their New Year greetings and closing remarks, bringing the 2026 SAPA Lunar New Year celebration to a successful close. The gathering not only strengthened connections among new and long-time friends but also laid the groundwork for future collaboration and professional growth.

Looking ahead to 2026, SAPA remains committed to delivering high-quality programs for its members and colleagues in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, while continuing to provide a platform for communication, collaboration, and mutual support.