Renjie Chang
MD, MS
Education and Training
| MD, MS in OBGYN | Peking Union Medical College | 1978-1982 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | Peking Union Medical College Hospital | 1982-1985 |
Renjie's Story
I’m often asked why I invent disruptive products and how I started this business. The truth is, my entire life prepared me for the moment I created NeuEve. While both my parents were medical doctors with a passion for science, my path was far from predetermined. The challenges I’ve faced shaped me and led me here.
I’m a Baby Boomer, which means I grew up in the 1960s—a time that was pretty wild for me, though maybe not in the way you’re imagining. I grew up in 1960s China. Let me take you back to that time through the eyes of my 12-year-old self.
I vividly remember the wooden shutters barring the doors of my school. I remember the smell of smoke and the heat of flames rising from piles of burning books in our courtyard—English, physics, biology, math, romance novels, all illegal by decree. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the howls and jeers as mobs forced professors and teachers through the streets in cages, shouting abuse.
For most of my classmates, this was a dream come true. How many students throughout history have fantasized about a world without school, homework, or tests? It seemed like freedom to them.
But my father’s words stayed with me:
Renjie, I don’t want you to do what everyone else does. You’re not everyone else.
— MY FATHER
From that moment on, I chose a different path. I refused to follow the crowd. Instead, I sought knowledge, driven by an insatiable curiosity for science. While my peers snuck around with boys, I snuck around with books—illegal books filled with forbidden knowledge.
When universities finally reopened, I easily tested into medical school and chose OB/GYN because it brought joy to people’s lives. I loved helping others.
When China’s borders opened, I was among the first to seek a new life in the United States. Life was tough. We had to hustle to survive, and my family and I lived in a cold garage. Though I was trained as a medical doctor, I also worked as a waitress, seamstress, and babysitter to make ends meet. But even with my hands full, my mind was always busy dreaming of new inventions.
I’ve delivered tens of thousands of babies, but none brought me more joy than my own son, Kevin. Becoming his mother was my greatest pride. My only regret was having just one child. I couldn’t wait for him to spread his wings and embrace the knowledge and opportunities I never had.
After years working in pharmaceutical research and development, I saw firsthand how the industry operates. I witnessed their incredible ability to create and innovate, but I was frustrated by their blind spots. My passion for improving processes and developing new approaches often clashed with leadership, who resisted change.
Since leaving the corporate world to start my own venture, I’ve never looked back. I’ve truly found my calling with NeuEve, a company built to challenge the status quo in health products. NeuEve allows me to help people and make a real difference in their lives.
The thank-you letters I receive from customers are why I wake up in the morning. My heart swells with pride when they tell me how NeuEve gave them confidence and even helped save their relationships.
Honors & Recognition
| Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
|---|---|---|
| A Novel High-Efficiency Transfection Technology | NIH | 2012 |
| A Novel Female-Controlled Antiviral Contraceptive | Gates Foundation | 2010 |
| Novel Method Protecting Infants from HIV in Breast Milk | Gates Foundation | 2009 |
| A Probiotic Formula Protects Infants from Milk-Borne HIV Transmission | NIH | 2007 |
| Discovery Excellence Award | Global Pharmaceutical R&D | 2004 |
| Discovery Excellence Award | Global Pharmaceutical R&D | 2003 |
| Poster Prize Winner | American Fertility Society | 1990 |
Research Publications
On Male Sexual Dysfunction and Pain Receptors
Analgesic activity of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists on spontaneous post-operative pain in rats
Cited by 25
Zhu CZ, Baker S, EI-Kouhen O, Lehto SG, Hollingsworth PR, Gauvin DM, Hernandez G, Zheng G, Chang R, Moreland RB, Stewart AO, Brioni JD, Honore P. Analgesic activity of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists on spontaneous post-operative pain in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 12;580(3):314-21. Epub 2007 Nov 13.
Discovery of 3-methyl-N-(1-oxy-3',4',5',6'-tetrahydro-2'H-[2,4'-bipyridine]-1'-ylmethyl)benzamide (ABT-670), an orally bioavailable dopamine D4 agonist for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
Cited by 42
Patel MV, Kolasa T, Mortell K, Matulenko MA, Hakeem AA, Rohde JJ, Nelson SL, Cowart MD, Nakane M, Miller LN, Uchic ME, Terranova MA, El-Kouhen OF, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Hollingsworth PR, Chang R, Martino BR, Wetter JM, Marsh KC, Martin R, Darbyshire JF, Gintant G, Hsieh GC, Moreland RB, Sullivan JP, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Discovery of 3-methyl-N-(1-oxy-3',4',5',6'-tetrahydro-2'H-[2,4'-bipyridine]-1'-ylmethyl)benzamide (ABT-670), an orally bioavailable dopamine D4 agonist for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Med Chem. 2006 Dec 14;49(25):7450-65.
Acrylamide analog as a novel nitric oxide-independent soluble guanylyl cyclase activator
Cited by 17
Nakane M, Kolasa T, Chang R, Miller LN, Moreland RB, Brioni JD. Acrylamide analog as a novel nitric oxide-independent soluble guanylyl cyclase activator. J Pharmacol Sci. 2006 Oct;102(2):231-8.
Full TextBlockade of mGluR1 receptor results in analgesia and disruption of motor and cognitive performances: effects of A-841720, a novel non-competitive mGluR1 receptor antagonist
Cited by 50
El-Kouhen O, Lehto SG, Pan JB, Chang R, Baker SJ, Zhong C, Hollingsworth PR, Mikusa JP, Cronin EA, Chu KL, McGaraughty SP, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Rodell NM, Patel M, Bhatia P, Mezler M, Kolasa T, Zheng GZ, Fox GB, Stewart AO, Decker MW, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Honore P. Blockade of mGluR1 receptor results in analgesia and disruption of motor and cognitive performances: effects of A-841720, a novel non-competitive mGluR1 receptor antagonist. Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Nov;149(6):761-74.
Full Text1-aryl-3-(4-pyridine-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one oximes as potent dopamine D4 receptor agonists for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
Cited by 22
Kolasa T, Matulenko MA, Hakeem AA, Patel MV, Mortell K, Bhatia P, Henry R, Nakane M, Hsieh GC, Terranova MA, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Chang R, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Hollingsworth PR, Martino B, El Kouhen O, Marsh KC, Wetter JM, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. 1-aryl-3-(4-pyridine-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one oximes as potent dopamine D4 receptor agonists for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Med Chem. 2006 Aug 24;49(17):5093-109.
Correlation between brain/plasma ratios and efficacy in neuropathic pain models of selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists
Cited by 28
Zheng GZ, Bhatia P, Kolasa T, Patel M, El Kouhen OF, Chang R, Uchic ME, Miller L, Baker S, Lehto SG, Honore P, Wetter JM, Marsh KC, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Correlation between brain/plasma ratios and efficacy in neuropathic pain models of selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Sep 15;16(18):4936-40.
Structure-activity relationship of triazafluorenone derivatives as potent and selective mGluR1 antagonists
Cited by 74
Zheng GZ, Bhatia P, Daanen J, Kolasa T, Patel M, Latshaw S, El Kouhen OF, Chang R, Uchic ME, Miller L, Nakane M, Lehto SG, Honore MP, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Structure-activity relationship of triazafluorenone derivatives as potent and selective mGluR1 antagonists. J Med Chem. 2005 Nov 17;48(23):7374-88.
2-[4-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-1H benzoimidazole (A-381393), a selective dopamine D4 receptor antagonist
Cited by 19
Nakane M, Cowart MD, Hsieh GC, Miller L, Uchic ME, Chang R, Terranova MA, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Miller TR, Wetter JM, Marsh K, Stewart AO, Brioni JD, Moreland RB. 2-[4-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-1H benzoimidazole (A-381393), a selective dopamine D4 receptor antagonist. Neuropharmacology. 2005 Jul;49(1):112-21. Epub 2005 Apr 1.
Synthesis and evaluation of 3-aryl piperidine analogs as potent and efficacious dopamine D4 receptor agonists.
Cited by 38
Wang X, Bhatia PA, Daanen JF, Latsaw SP, Rohde J, Kolasa T, Hakeem AA, Matulenko MA, Nakane M, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Chang R, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Synthesis and evaluation of 3-aryl piperidine analogs as potent and efficacious dopamine D4 receptor agonists. Bioorg Med Chem. 2005 Aug 1;13(15):4667-78.
Role of central and peripheral mGluR5 receptors in post-operative pain in rats.
Cited by 80
Zhu CZ, Hsieh G, Ei-Kouhen O, Wilson SG, Mikusa JP, Hollingsworth PR, Chang R, Moreland RB, Brioni J, Decker MW, Honore P. Role of central and peripheral mGluR5 receptors in post-operative pain in rats. Pain. 2005 Mar;114(1-2):195-202.
Synthesis and activity of 2-[4-(4-[3H]-2-cyanophenyl)piperazinyl]-N-(2,4,6-[3H]3-3-methylphenyl)acetamide: a selective dopamine D4 receptor agonist and radioligand.
Cited by 15
Matulenko MA, Surber B, Fan L, Kolasa T, Nakane M, Terranova MA, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Chang R, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Synthesis and activity of 2-[4-(4-[3H]-2-cyanophenyl)piperazinyl]-N-(2,4,6-[3H]3-3-methylphenyl)acetamide: a selective dopamine D4 receptor agonist and radioligand. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Oct 18;14(20):5095-8.
Synthesis and functional activity of (2-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-N-(3-methylphenyl)acetamides: selective dopamine D4 receptor agonists.
Cited by 45
Matulenko MA, Hakeem AA, Kolasa T, Nakane M, Terranova MA, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Chang R, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Synthesis and functional activity of (2-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-N-(3-methylphenyl)acetamides: selective dopamine D4 receptor agonists. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Jul 1;12(13):3471-83.
[3H] A-369508 ([2-[4-(2-cyanophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-N-(3-methylphenyl) acetamide): an agonist radioligand selective for the dopamine D4 receptor.
Cited by 17
Moreland RB, Terranova MA, Chang R, Uchic ME, Matulenko MA, Surber BW, Stewart AO, Brioni JD. [3H] A-369508 ([2-[4-(2-cyanophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-N-(3-methylphenyl) acetamide): an agonist radioligand selective for the dopamine D4 receptor. Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Aug 23;497(2):147-54.
Central mechanisms regulating penile erection in conscious rats: the dopaminergic systems related to the proerectile effect of apomorphine.
Cited by 98
Hsieh GC, Hollingsworth PR, Martino B, Chang R, Terranova MA, O'Neill AB, Lynch JJ, Moreland RB, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Kolasa T, Mikusa JP, McVey JM, Marsh KC, Sullivan JP, Brioni JD. Central mechanisms regulating penile erection in conscious rats: the dopaminergic systems related to the proerectile effect of apomorphine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 Jan;308(1):330-8.
A-350619: a novel activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase.
Cited by 73
Miller, L.N, Nakane, M, Hsieh G.C., Chang R, Kolasa, T., Morland, R.B, A-350619: a novel activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Life Sci. 72:1015-25 2003.
Comparative pharmacology of human dopamine D(2)-like receptor stable cell lines coupled to calcium flux through Galpha(qo5).
Cited by 43
Moreland RB, Nakane M, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Miller LN, Chang R, Uchic ME, Terranova MA, Gubbins EJ, Helfrich RJ, Namovic MT, El-Kouhen OF, Masters JN, Brioni JD. Comparative pharmacology of human dopamine D(2)-like receptor stable cell lines coupled to calcium flux through Galpha(qo5). Biochem Pharmacol. 2004 Aug 15;68(4):761-72.
Discovery of 2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (ABT-724), a dopaminergic agent with a novel mode of action for the potential treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Cited by 66
Cowart M, Latshaw SP, Bhatia P, Daanen JF, Rohde J, Nelson SL, Patel M, Kolasa T, Nakane M, Uchic ME, Miller LN, Terranova MA, Chang R, Donnelly-Roberts DL, Namovic MT, Hollingsworth PR, Martino BR, Lynch JJ 3rd, Sullivan JP, Hsieh GC, Moreland RB, Brioni JD, Stewart AO. Discovery of 2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (ABT-724), a dopaminergic agent with a novel mode of action for the potential treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Med Chem. 2004 Jul 15;47(15):3853-64.
Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase causes relaxation of corpus cavernosum tissue: synergism of nitric oxide and YC-1.
Cited by 51
Nakane M, Hsieh G, Miller LN, Chang R, Terranova MA, Moreland RB, Kolasa T, Brioni JD. Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase causes relaxation of corpus cavernosum tissue: synergism of nitric oxide and YC-1. Int J Impot Res. 2002 Apr;14(2):121-7.
Full TextRegulating Growth Hormones with Immunological Approaches
Molecular interaction of growth hormone with two monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct epitopes.
Cited by 4
Wang BS, Lumanglas AL, Zhang RJ, Tian ZG. Molecular interaction of growth hormone with two monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct epitopes. Immunol Cell Biol. 1997 Feb;75(1):29-34.
Immunological effect of a synthetic growth hormone peptide on the growth performance in swine.
Cited by 9
Wang BS, Lumanglas AA, Shieh HM, Corbett MJ, Zhang RJ, Kraft LA. Immunological effect of a synthetic growth hormone peptide on the growth performance in swine. Mol Immunol. 1996 May-Jun;33(7-8):609-14.
Modulation of the effectiveness of growth hormone with a monoclonal antibody. Neuroimmunomodulation.
Cited by 3
Zhang RJ, Lumanglas AA, Wang BS. Modulation of the effectiveness of growth hormone with a monoclonal antibody. Neuroimmunomodulation. 1994 Nov-Dec;1(6):343-9.
Promotion of animal growth with a monoclonal anti-idiotype specific to anti-porcine growth hormone antibody
Cited by 21
Wang BS, Zhang RJ, Bona CA, Moran TM. Promotion of animal growth with a monoclonal anti-idiotype specific to anti-porcine growth hormone antibody. Mol Immunol. 1994 Jun;31(9):651-6.
Neurological Control of Muscle
Coordinate expression of NGF and alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNA and protein in cutaneous wound tissue of developing and adult rats
Cited by 95
Hasan W, Zhang R, Liu M, Warn JD, Smith PG. Coordinate expression of NGF and alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNA and protein in cutaneous wound tissue of developing and adult rats. Cell Tissue Res. 2000 Apr;300(1):97-109.
Presynaptic adrenergic facilitation of parasympathetic neurotransmission in sympathectomized rat smooth muscle.
Cited by 10
Krizsan-Agbas D, Zhang R, Marzban F, Smith PG. Presynaptic adrenergic facilitation of parasympathetic neurotransmission in sympathectomized rat smooth muscle. J Physiol. 1998 Nov 1;512 ( Pt 3):841-9.
Full TextCellular terrain surrounding sympathetic nerve pathways in the rat orbit: comparisons of orbital connective tissue and smooth muscle cell phenotypes.
Cited by 9
Smith PG, Fan Q, Zhang R, Warn JD. Cellular terrain surrounding sympathetic nerve pathways in the rat orbit: comparisons of orbital connective tissue and smooth muscle cell phenotypes. J Comp Neurol. 1998 Nov 2;400(4):529-43.
Divergence of smooth muscle target and sympathetic pathway cell phenotypes in the orbit of the developing rat.
Cited by 1
Smith PG, Fan Q, Zhang R. Divergence of smooth muscle target and sympathetic pathway cell phenotypes in the orbit of the developing rat. J Comp Neurol. 1999 Jun 7;408(3):352-64.
Subunit composition of the purified dihydropyridine binding protein from skeletal muscle.
Cited by 22
Hamilton SL, Hawkes MJ, Brush K, Cook R, Chang RJ, Smilowitz HM. Subunit composition of the purified dihydropyridine binding protein from skeletal muscle. Biochemistry. 1989 Sep 19;28(19):7820-8.
Full TextRegulation of the number of alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites in cultured chick myotubes by a 1,4 dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist.
Cited by 11
Smilowitz H, Smart E, Bowik C, Chang RJ. Regulation of the number of alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites in cultured chick myotubes by a 1,4 dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist. J Neurosci Res. 1988 Mar;19(3):321-5.
Identification of a approximately 170K subunit of the cardiac calcium channel using a monoclonal antibody to the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor.
Cited by 3
Chang RJ, Smilowitz H. Identification of a approximately 170K subunit of the cardiac calcium channel using a monoclonal antibody to the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor. Life Sci. 1988;43(13):1055-61.
Understanding Endometriosis
Whole endometrial fragments form characteristics of in vivo endometriosis in a mesothelial cell co-culture system: an in vitro model for the study of the histogenesis of endometriosis.
Cited by 37
Wild RA, Zhang RJ, Medders D. Whole endometrial fragments form characteristics of in vivo endometriosis in a mesothelial cell co-culture system: an in vitro model for the study of the histogenesis of endometriosis. J Soc Gynecol Investig. 1994 Jan-Mar;1(1):65-8.
Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on adhesion of human endometrial stromal cells to peritoneal mesothelial cells: an in vitro system.
Cited by 169
Zhang RJ, Wild RA, Ojago JM. Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on adhesion of human endometrial stromal cells to peritoneal mesothelial cells: an in vitro system. Fertil Steril. 1993 Jun;59(6):1196-201.
Full TextEffects of peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis on the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cell line ECC-1.
Cited by 23
Zhang RJ, Wild RA, Medders D, Gunupudi SR. Effects of peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis on the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cell line ECC-1. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Dec;165(6 Pt 1):1842-6.
F(ab')2 segment is the active component of immunoglobulin G autoantibody generation in patients with endometriosis.
Cited by 18
Wild RA, Medders D, Zhang RJ. F(ab')2 segment is the active component of immunoglobulin G autoantibody generation in patients with endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 1991 Nov;56(5):900-3.
Full TextFluctuation of endometrial PG levels in normal menstrual cycles.
Zhang RJ, Han ML, Wang YF. Fluctuation of endometrial PG levels in normal menstrual cycles. Proc Chin Acad Med Sci Peking Union Med Coll. 1987;2(4):241-3.
Gossypol influencing contents of prostaglandin in human endometria.
Chang, RJ., Han, M. and Wang, Y. Gossypol influencing contents of prostaglandin in human endometria. Chinese J Medicine. 65:176-177, 1985.
Analysis of prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2 in ectopic endometriotic nodules and endometrium in situ in patients with endometriosis
Chang RJ. [Analysis of prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2 in ectopic endometriotic nodules and endometrium in situ in patients with endometriosis]. [Article in Chinese] Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 1984 Apr;19(2):93-6.
Prostaglandin in human endometria’s and ectopic endometritic nodule.
Chang, RJ. and Han, M. Prostaglandin in human endometria’s and ectopic endometritic nodule. Chinese J. Gynecology. 19:93-96, 1984.