Samsung Bioepis Holdings said on the 11th that it established a subsidiary, EPIS NexLab, to pursue new future growth in bio.
EPIS NexLab plans to push ahead with developing a bio-technology platform based on a biotech model in various fields, including amino acid conjugates (peptides).
The bio-technology platform business develops highly scalable component technologies to derive multiple biopharmaceutical candidates. Because it is not limited to specific drugs or indications and can be applied to a range of disease areas, the business has strong scalability.
Based on its platform technology, EPIS NexLab plans to expand open innovation in the global market by pursuing joint development or technology transfer (license-out) with global pharmaceutical companies.
Chief Executive Hong Seong-won, head of Development Division 1 at Samsung Bioepis and a vice president, will concurrently serve as CEO of EPIS NexLab. Hong earned a bachelor's and master's in pharmacy from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina, and is a research and development expert who served as a director at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the United States and as head of the new drug research center at LG CHEM. As an outside non-executive director at Samsung Bioepis Holdings, Hong also plans to participate in the holding company's board activities.
CEO Hong Seong-won said, "EPIS NexLab will identify future growth engines for Samsung Bioepis Holdings within the stable business structure of a holding company and lead technological innovation in the bio industry through bold challenges."
The name EPIS NexLab is based on the corporate identity of EPIS and carries the meaning of a company that researches next-generation technology. It symbolizes a professional, boundary-crossing, flexible and future-oriented vision. The origin of EPIS is the Greek word EPISTEME, meaning the essence of science and knowledge.
Samsung Bioepis Holdings officially launched on the 1st through a spin-off from Samsung Biologics. It plans to push ahead with a range of promising new bio businesses, with Samsung Bioepis, which develops and commercializes biopharmaceuticals, and EPIS NexLab, which develops bio-technology platforms, as separate subsidiaries.