On 13th August 2026, the IAM Strategy 300: World’s Leading IP Strategists 2026 went live. The guide showcases the individuals whose expertise, commercial insight and innovative thinking are setting the standard for IP strategy worldwide.
The inductees were selected from a wide range of candidates, including senior figures at major corporations, specialist advisers and service providers, as well as experts from universities and research institutions around the world. They were identified by peers for leading the way in the development and execution of sophisticated IP strategies, from the creation and optimisation of global portfolios, licensing and monetisation, to transactions, commercialisation and the integration of IP into wider corporate strategy.
With a 7% year-on-year growth in nominations submitted, the latest Strategy 300 features 314 individuals recognised for the first time, a 14% increase in new entrants year-on-year.
ZHU Zhigang, Partner and Management Committee member at Wanhuida Intellectual Property is included in this year’s list. He has been recognized four years in a row. Zhigang is applauded by IAM as “a prominent figure in China's IP landscape, helping clients protect and enforce valuable brands across one of the world's most dynamic markets”. IAM commends “his strategic approach to contentious and advisory matters” and credits him as “a trusted partner for domestic and international rights holders”.
The firm’s Partner XIE Minnan also made her debut this year. Minnan catches the eyes of IAM research team for “developing sophisticated patent strategies that maximise protection for cutting-edge innovation” across China and international markets. She wins praise for her “global perspective and deep life sciences expertise”, which is pivotal in helping clients “navigate complex prosecution and build resilient international portfolios”.
Inclusion in the Strategy 300 follows an extensive research process built around recommendations from the IP community. Candidates must receive multiple independent nominations to be considered, with IAM’s research team assessing the strength of those recommendations alongside each individual’s track record and contribution to the field.