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Peptide drugs are one of the fastest-moving areas in biotech, but behind every platform and patent is a scientist who chose to solve hard problems.

Dr. Chengzao Sun is one of those scientists.

Today, he is Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Pinnacle Medicines. He leads research in macrocyclic oral peptide therapeutics. But his path began long before the creation of the company and his role as an executive leader.

It started in a chemistry lab.

Early Education and Scientific Foundation

Dr. Sun earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Brown University. That training shaped how he thinks.

Organic chemistry is detail-driven. It demands precision. It rewards patience.

“Chemistry teaches you discipline,” he says. “If you miss a small detail, the whole molecule fails.”

That mindset carried into his career. He focused early on peptide chemistry and synthetic methods. Peptides sit between small molecules and biologics. They are powerful but complex. For many years, they were hard to turn into practical medicines.

That challenge pulled him in.

“I’ve always liked problems that sit in the middle,” he explains. “Peptides are not easy. That’s why they’re interesting.”

How Chengzao Sun Built a Career in Peptide Drug Discovery

Over the past 20+ years, Dr. Sun has worked across biotech and large pharma. His career includes roles at Amylin, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson.

At each stop, the theme stayed the same: peptide drug discovery.

At Merck and Amylin, he worked on programs that moved from lead discovery to development. This meant designing molecules, testing their stability, and improving peptide binding to difficult biological targets.

Later, at Johnson & Johnson, he took on broader leadership. He became Head of the Peptide Platform and Early Portfolio.

That role was not just science. It was a strategy.

“You’re not just asking if a molecule works,” he says. “You’re asking if it can become a medicine.”

He led cross-functional teams. He worked with chemistry, biology, clinical, and regulatory groups. Programs moved from early research toward Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical stages.

This shift marked a turning point. He moved from scientist to scientific leader.

Why Oral Peptide Therapeutics Matter

Peptides are powerful. But many require injection. That limits patient access and comfort.

Dr. Sun saw a gap.

“Peptides can hit targets small molecules cannot,” he explains. “But if patients can’t take them easily, adoption becomes harder.”

That problem helped shape the vision behind Pinnacle Medicines.

Today, as Co-Founder and CSO, he leads research focused on macrocyclic and oral peptide platforms. Macrocyclic peptides are structured in ways that can improve stability and binding strength. The goal is to unlock new therapeutic pathways.

His work spans multiple disease areas. These include immunology, oncology, cardiometabolic disease, and neuroscience.

He is also listed as an inventor on numerous patents related to peptide and macrocyclic therapeutics. Some focus on pathways such as interleukin-23 (IL-23), a key player in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

“Oral peptide may be the ultimate solution,” he says. “It is safe, efficacious and convenient”

From Big Pharma to Company Creation

Starting a company is different from leading a division inside a global pharmaceutical firm.

At Pinnacle Medicines, Dr. Sun is helping shape both science and culture.

“In a smaller company, every decision counts,” he says. “You don’t hide behind structure. You build it.”

As CSO, he oversees research direction, platform development, and scientific partnerships. He works closely with teams pushing programs from concept through early development.

The focus is not speed for its own sake. It is disciplined progress.

“Drug discovery takes time,” he says. “You have to respect biology and we focus most on validated ones.”

Publications, Patents, and Industry Impact

Dr. Sun has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications. His work includes advances in cyclic peptide linker design and molecular modeling.

He is also an inventor on multiple patents. These patents reflect years of applied research. They are not theoretical exercises. They are tied to real programs and real therapeutic goals.

His expertise sits at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, peptide engineering, and translational development.

Beyond corporate work, he serves as a Scientific Advisory Board member of the Boulder Peptide Society. The organization brings together researchers focused on peptide science and innovation.

“Science moves faster when people share ideas,” he says. “Community matters.”

Leadership Style and Industry Perspective

Dr. Sun does not describe himself as a visionary. He describes himself as practical.

“You earn credibility molecule by molecule,” he says.

Colleagues know him for bridging detailed chemistry with business strategy. That combination matters in biotech. A platform must work scientifically. But it must also fit development realities.

He believes the peptide field is entering a new phase.

“We now have better tools,” he says. “Computational design. Improved synthesis. Better delivery strategies. The field is more mature.”

Still, he stays cautious.

“Drug discovery humbles you,” he says. “You learn to stay curious.”

The Bigger Picture in Peptide Innovation

Peptide drug discovery is no longer a niche. It is a competitive and fast-evolving sector within biotech.

Leaders like Dr. Chengzao Sun helped build the foundation during its early phases. Now they are shaping their next chapter.

His career shows a steady progression: chemist, drug discovery scientist, platform head, co-founder.

Each step builds on the last.

“I never chased titles,” he says. “I chased hard scientific questions.”

Today, those questions continue at Pinnacle Medicines.

And the molecules are still at the center of the story.

The investment objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation by predominantly investing in equity and equity-related instruments of large-cap companies.

Investment strategy

The scheme will follow an active investment strategy that adopts a systematic approach to stock selection and portfolio construction. The approach allows the fund manager to respond proactively to changing market conditions and emerging opportunities.

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Why should one invest in the JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund?

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According to the fund house, the fund combines human insight and the power of technologies like AI and machine learning to identify strong large-cap companies and manage risk in a structured manner, using India-specific Signals research scores (Systematic Active Equity) provided by BlackRock group entities.
The fund focuses on investing in largecap companies by following a disciplined framework and defined risk management processes. It is structured to provide exposure to established market leaders within the largecap segment. Lastly, it is delivered at a relatively low price with no exit load.

What experts say about the fund

Experts typically advise investors to avoid investing in NFOs unless they offer something unique. The uniqueness could be that the scheme offers an investment option not available in the market or offers something extra to an existing option. Otherwise, experts believe investors are better off with an existing scheme that has a long performance record. This is because you have historical data to base your investment decision on. You don’t have any data when it comes to new offerings.

Bharath Rathore, Executive Director, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited shared with ETMutualFunds that today, there are 36 large-cap funds in the mutual fund universe and in the last year, around 5 funds were launched in this category. The JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund is one of them, with the only differentiating factor stated as the use of global research and technology.

However, fund management cannot be conducted only through a tech lens, it requires strong fund manager conviction to navigate the nuances in the equity market. Hence, investors who wish to opt for this fund should adopt a wait-and-watch approach for about a year to understand the performance over the long term, Rathore further said.

Another expert, Nilesh D Naik, Head of Investment Products, Share.Market told ETMutualFunds that in terms of the investment universe, the category is quite standardized, requiring the fund to allocate at least 80% of the portfolio to large-cap stocks (i.e., the top 100 companies by market capitalization).

However, the research and portfolio construction process may vary across AMCs. In the case of Jio BlackRock, they follow their proprietary Systematic Active Equity (SAE) investment approach, Naik said.

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Investment allocation and risk

JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund will allocate 80-100% in equity and equity-related instruments of largecap companies. 0-20% will be allocated in equity and equity-related instruments of companies other than largecap companies, 0-20% in debt and money market instruments, and 0-10% in units issued by InvITs.

The principal invested in the fund will be at “very high risk” according to the scheme’s riskometer.

The performance of this largecap fund will be benchmarked against the BSE 100 Index (TRI) and will be managed by Tanvi Kacheria and Sahil Chaudhary.

Why large caps now?

According to a post by fund house on social media platform X, Rishi Kohli, CIO of JioBlackRock Mutual Fund said, “I think it’s a great time to be in large caps, in fact, for two reasons. One is geopolitical uncertainty. Now typically around this period is when, you know, if you have to allocate then large caps because of being steadier, less risky, less volatile, it becomes a good time, you know, to invest in these.”

Kohli further added, “And secondly, of course, if you look at a lot of metrics like large cap versus mid cap or large cap versus small cap ratio, we obviously have Nifty 500 as our benchmark for a lot of the other active schemes. So we look at something like, let’s say Nifty 100 to Nifty 500 ratio, then those are almost at the lows of the last 10-12 years. And typically around when they are at such lows, then they will tend to recover compared to the rest of the market.”

Time to focus on large cap funds now?

The experts cautioned investors against investing in NFOs since there are many existing funds in the same category that have exposure to large caps.

Naik said that given the recent market fall and volatile environment, it does make sense to invest in the large-cap space, either through dedicated large-cap funds or funds with reasonably large exposure to this segment of the market.

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Rathore said investors should maintain their long-term investment strategy across diversified equity funds through all market cycles, including the current volatility. If they wish for further large-cap exposure in their portfolio, they can do this through other categories such as flexi cap, focused funds, and dividend yield funds, which have around 60-65% average exposure in large caps.

How did funds in the large-cap basket perform?

Around 27 large cap funds have been around in the industry for over five years. Out of these 27 funds, Nippon India Large Cap Fund delivered the highest return in the last five years of around 14.98%, followed by ICICI Prudential Large Cap Fund which posted a return of 13.08%.

PGIM India Large Cap Fund gave a 7.13% return in the last five years, followed by Axis Large Cap Fund, which gave the lowest return in the last five years at around 6.79%.

After seeing the historical performance of large-cap funds, Rathore said that investors may opt for either a lump sum or SIP based on fund availability. If funds are available, they can go ahead with a lump sum investment and stagger it across 6-8 weeks in tranches to better ride the volatility.

While strongly recommending investment through the SIP route, especially in a volatile environment, Naik said that investors with large sums of money to deploy could opt for a Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) which allows them to invest first in a relatively low-risk product and then systematically transfer money into equity funds over a period, such as 6–12 months. Ultimately, allocation should be aligned with one’s risk appetite.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

If you have any mutual fund queries, message ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in along with your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

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A JetBlue flight was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff Tuesday after reportedly striking a coyote on the runway at a Rhode Island airport.

JetBlue Flight 1129, bound for New York’s JFK Airport, struck the animal while taking off from T.F. Green Airport Tuesday morning, according to WPRI-TV. Although the aircraft initially continued its climb, it returned to Rhode Island about 15 minutes later.

Erin Drozda, a passenger on the flight, said she heard “a thud” during takeoff.

“We were up in the air for 10 to 15 minutes, and then all of a sudden the captain came on and said, ‘This is the flight crew. If anyone heard that thud, we hit a coyote, and we are now on our way back to Providence,’” she told the station.

FATAL LAGUARDIA COLLISION RENEWS FOCUS ON RUNWAY INCURSION RISKS ACROSS US

A JetBlue flight returned to a Rhode Island airport after a reported wildlife strike during takeoff on March 24. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images / Getty Images)

“We thought it was a joke at first,” she added. “You don’t ever hear that.”

Drozda said emergency crews were waiting on the runway when the plane returned.

She said crews inspected the nose of the aircraft for damage before asking passengers to deplane so a full inspection could be completed.

UNITED AIRLINES SLASHES FLIGHTS AS IRAN WAR SENDS FUEL PRICES SOARING

JetBlue planes at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the Queens borough of New York on Dec. 26, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“We got off the plane and stayed inside for about another half hour or so, and then they told us that everything was OK, and we were able to get back on the plane,” she told the station.

According to FlightAware data, the plane departed Rhode Island around 6:16 a.m. and returned to T.F. Green at 6:40 a.m. It took off again just after 8:30 a.m. and landed at JFK at 9:06 a.m.

Drozda said the delay caused her and her wife to miss a connecting flight to Costa Rica, though they were able to rebook for Wednesday.

A spokesperson for T.F. Green Airport told CBS News the incident did not impact other flights.

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JetBlue Flight 1129 returned to T.F. Green Airport about 15 minutes after takeoff after reportedly striking a coyote on the runway. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

JetBlue said the aircraft returned “out of an abundance of caution” after a report that the landing gear made contact with wildlife during takeoff. The airline added the flight landed safely and no issues or injuries were reported.

FOX Business has reached out to JetBlue and T.F. Green Airport for additional information.

SYDNEY — Australia is absorbing significant economic losses from the ongoing US-Iran war, with petrol prices hitting record highs near A$2.20 per litre, inflation forecasts revised upward by as much as 1.25 percentage points and more than A$300 billion wiped from the share market since fighting erupted in late February 2026, even as the nation’s role as an energy exporter provides some offsetting gains in commodity revenues.

The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on Feb. 28, has disrupted roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies through repeated threats to and partial closures of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have swung wildly, spiking above US$110-120 per barrel at peaks before settling around US$100 or higher in recent days — a roughly 50% jump from pre-war levels near US$70-75.

For Australia, which imports about 90% of its refined transport fuels while exporting crude oil, condensate and LNG, the net effect has been painful for households and businesses despite benefits to resource companies. Petrol prices have climbed 20-70 cents per litre in many areas since the war started, with wholesale diesel reaching A$2.45 per litre in some reports. Motorists and farmers are feeling the pinch, prompting panic buying at service stations and warnings of potential shortages if disruptions persist beyond mid-April.

Treasury analysis released in mid-March projected that if oil averages US$100 per barrel in the first half of 2026 before easing, headline inflation would peak 0.75 percentage points higher than previously expected, while gross domestic product would be about 0.2% lower. In a worse-case scenario with prices hitting US$120 and taking three years to normalize, inflation could rise an extra 1.25 points and GDP take a 0.6% hit by 2027 — equivalent to roughly A$18 billion in lost output.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has signaled it is “very alert” to the risks, with Governor Michele Bullock noting potential second-round effects on inflation expectations. Higher fuel costs feed directly into the consumer price index, where automotive fuel carries significant weight, and indirectly raise prices for goods transported by road, air or sea, as well as energy-intensive products like fertiliser and plastics.

The stock market has borne a visible cost. The S&P/ASX 200 has fallen more than 9% from its early March peak, shedding over A$300 billion in value as investors priced in slower global growth, higher interest rates and uncertainty. Mining and energy stocks have shown mixed performance: some like Woodside and Santos benefited from elevated commodity prices, but broader sentiment dragged the index toward correction territory.

Exporters face additional headaches. War-risk insurance premiums have surged for shipping through or near affected areas, complicating deliveries to the Gulf and Europe. Air freight costs have risen, and some routes have been lengthened to avoid risky airspace. Consumer confidence has also dipped, potentially curbing spending and weighing on retail and tourism sectors.

Australia’s low fuel stockpiles — around 36 days for petrol, 32 for diesel and 29 for jet fuel as of early March — have amplified vulnerability. The government temporarily relaxed fuel quality standards to boost local production by an extra 100 million litres per month and has coordinated with suppliers in Singapore, a key source of refined fuels. Energy Minister Chris Bowen authorized these measures to ease short-term pressure, but officials warn that physical shortages from Asian refineries cutting output could arrive after a supply-chain lag.

Farmers in regional areas are particularly exposed, with diesel shortages threatening autumn planting and higher input costs squeezing margins. Transport operators and airlines, including Qantas, have flagged fare increases or operational adjustments due to elevated jet fuel prices.

On the positive side, higher global energy prices have lifted Australia’s terms of trade. LNG and coal export revenues are rising, boosting corporate profits in the resources sector and supporting government tax receipts. Some analysts note this could partially offset the drag on household disposable income, where the average family may face an extra A$14 per week or A$730 annually in fuel costs.

Still, most economists view the overall impact as negative in the near term. Westpac and CommBank modelling suggest retail petrol could average around A$2.02 per litre and diesel A$2.50 if prices hold, with underlying inflation remaining sticky above the RBA’s target into 2027 and GDP growth shaved by 0.1-0.5 percentage points depending on duration.

The war has also prompted strategic responses. Australia has deployed military assets to the Middle East to support operations, including evacuation and potential escort duties, while participating in international efforts to secure shipping lanes. Critics argue deeper involvement risks complicating trade ties with China, a major buyer of Australian commodities and source of some fuel imports.

Longer-term risks include sustained pressure on the Australian dollar, which has weakened amid risk-off sentiment, and potential RBA rate hikes that could further dampen growth. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has described the economic consequences as “very substantial,” noting they will shape the May budget. Calls have grown for a windfall profits tax on fossil fuel exporters to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

The situation remains fluid. Oil prices have shown extreme volatility, plunging on de-escalation hopes only to rebound on renewed threats. International efforts, including IEA-coordinated stockpile releases and diplomatic talks involving multiple nations, aim to stabilize flows, but analysts warn a prolonged Hormuz disruption could push prices toward US$150 or higher in extreme scenarios.

For ordinary Australians, the pain is already real at the pump and in broader price pressures. Businesses are absorbing or passing on costs, while policymakers balance short-term relief with longer-term energy security reforms. Australia’s paradox — a major energy exporter with thin domestic fuel reserves — has rarely been more exposed.

As the conflict enters its fourth week, the full bill remains uncertain. Treasury and bank forecasts will likely be updated as events unfold, but early indications point to a meaningful hit to living standards and growth, tempered only partially by resource sector windfalls. Economists stress that a swift resolution would limit damage, while prolongation risks scarring the economy for years.