LigaChem Biosciences said on the 11th that it has hired oncology expert Ok Chan-young as head of the TR Center. Ok will oversee the establishment of research and development strategies for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immuno-oncology therapies. An ADC is an anticancer treatment technology that attaches a drug to an antibody to deliver it precisely to cancer cells. It reduces side effects on normal cells and maximizes treatment efficacy.
Ok earned a doctorate from Seoul National University College of Medicine and served as a clinical professor in medical oncology at Seoul National University Hospital and as chief medical officer (CMO, senior executive) at Lunit. While running projects with global pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Ok integrated artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with anticancer drug development.
Ok said, "I will apply my translational research experience to LigaChem Biosciences' pipeline (new drug candidates)." LigaChem Biosciences CEO Kim Yong-ju said, "We will strengthen the scientific validity of ADCs and immuno-oncology therapies and expand partnership opportunities with global pharmaceutical companies."