SK Biopharm is enhancing its research and development (R&D) capabilities by recruiting a significant number of global experts across the entire process from drug candidate discovery to clinical development. The company aims to accelerate the development of new global drugs by securing specialized leadership in neuroscience and oncology, as well as clinical experts with medical degrees (MDs) based in the United States.
On September 8, SK Biopharm announced the reorganization of its existing central nervous system (CNS) research function into a 'Neuroscience Division,' which will now report directly to the CEO. The company has also appointed Dr. Tae-ho Kim, a global neuroscience R&D expert, as the head of this division.
Dr. Kim brings over 20 years of experience in neuroscience drug research and development, including 12 years at Novartis, where he was involved in drug discovery, preclinical and early clinical development, and portfolio strategy. He will oversee the Neuroscience Division at SK Biopharm, focusing on discovering next-generation pipelines and promoting open innovation and collaborative research both domestically and internationally.
In the oncology sector, SK Biopharm is expanding its leadership in areas such as radiopharmaceuticals (RPT) and targeted protein degradation (TPD) to enhance the discovery of next-generation pipelines. In the RPT area, Center Head Shin Yong-je is leading efforts in candidate substance discovery and the establishment of an in-house chelator platform, while also working on securing a supply chain for radioactive isotopes and expanding new pipelines. In the TPD sector, Dr. Ryan Kruger, Chief Scientific Officer at SK Life Science Labs in the U.S., is spearheading research utilizing targeted protein degradation technology based on expertise in cancer biology and epigenetics.
At the development stage, a team of MD experts, led by Chief Medical Officer Sunita Misra, a pediatric neurologist and physician-scientist, is driving global clinical development. Approximately 20% of the key development and medical personnel hold MD degrees.
In July, SK Biopharm welcomed Dr. Soo-young Kim, a physician-scientist with over 18 years of experience at global pharmaceutical companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and AbbVie. The company is ensuring that MDs with real clinical and prescribing experience are involved from the early stages of R&D to incorporate clinical value and unmet medical needs into their development strategies.
In the CNS field, clinical development is underway for major programs including primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTC), partial seizures, pediatric indications, and carisbamate.
SK Biopharm plans to implement its 'East-West Bridge' strategy, which aims to connect promising drug candidates discovered in South Korea and Asia to the global market. This strategy involves securing candidates in Asia, conducting preclinical and early clinical trials, and leveraging the company's global clinical development and commercialization capabilities.
SK Biopharm CEO Lee Dong-hoon stated, "We will continue to secure talent with global experience and expertise in each field to enhance our competitiveness and execution in generating new global drugs."
On September 8, SK Biopharm announced the reorganization of its existing central nervous system (CNS) research function into a 'Neuroscience Division,' which will now report directly to the CEO. The company has also appointed Dr. Tae-ho Kim, a global neuroscience R&D expert, as the head of this division.
Dr. Kim brings over 20 years of experience in neuroscience drug research and development, including 12 years at Novartis, where he was involved in drug discovery, preclinical and early clinical development, and portfolio strategy. He will oversee the Neuroscience Division at SK Biopharm, focusing on discovering next-generation pipelines and promoting open innovation and collaborative research both domestically and internationally.
In the oncology sector, SK Biopharm is expanding its leadership in areas such as radiopharmaceuticals (RPT) and targeted protein degradation (TPD) to enhance the discovery of next-generation pipelines. In the RPT area, Center Head Shin Yong-je is leading efforts in candidate substance discovery and the establishment of an in-house chelator platform, while also working on securing a supply chain for radioactive isotopes and expanding new pipelines. In the TPD sector, Dr. Ryan Kruger, Chief Scientific Officer at SK Life Science Labs in the U.S., is spearheading research utilizing targeted protein degradation technology based on expertise in cancer biology and epigenetics.
At the development stage, a team of MD experts, led by Chief Medical Officer Sunita Misra, a pediatric neurologist and physician-scientist, is driving global clinical development. Approximately 20% of the key development and medical personnel hold MD degrees.
In July, SK Biopharm welcomed Dr. Soo-young Kim, a physician-scientist with over 18 years of experience at global pharmaceutical companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and AbbVie. The company is ensuring that MDs with real clinical and prescribing experience are involved from the early stages of R&D to incorporate clinical value and unmet medical needs into their development strategies.
In the CNS field, clinical development is underway for major programs including primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTC), partial seizures, pediatric indications, and carisbamate.
SK Biopharm plans to implement its 'East-West Bridge' strategy, which aims to connect promising drug candidates discovered in South Korea and Asia to the global market. This strategy involves securing candidates in Asia, conducting preclinical and early clinical trials, and leveraging the company's global clinical development and commercialization capabilities.
SK Biopharm CEO Lee Dong-hoon stated, "We will continue to secure talent with global experience and expertise in each field to enhance our competitiveness and execution in generating new global drugs."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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