LigaChem Biosciences said on the 5th that it reorganized its research and development organization into a dual structure of an "ADC research institute" and a "new drug research institute," and hired Dr. Han Jin-hwan, formerly of global pharmaceutical company MSD, as head of the new drug research institute.
Incumbent research institute head Jeong Cheol-ung, as head of the ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) research institute, will focus on advancing the company's core ADC pipeline. New drug research institute head Han Jin-hwan will lead development of innovative new drugs, including immuno-oncology therapies, and new platform development.
Regarding the reorganization, the company said it is a strategic decision to strengthen LigaChem Biosciences' expertise in the ADC field while accelerating expansion into next-generation cancer treatments.
ADC is a treatment technology that delivers a drug (payload) precisely to cancer cells by attaching it to an antibody that binds to those cells. It is called a guided missile because it targets only cancer cells precisely. LigaChem Biosciences has ConjuALL, a platform technology that precisely attaches a drug to a specific site on an antibody so it exerts its effect inside cancer cells.
Han worked at MSD for about 11 years and is an expert who has led various oncology new drug development programs such as ADCs, peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Han served as a member of the external collaboration review committee for pembrolizumab (Keytruda), MSD's flagship immuno-oncology therapy, reviewing clinical trial collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies and participating in decision-making.
Han is expected to lead next-generation pipeline and platform development at LigaChem Biosciences. The company also expected Han's addition to accelerate global partnerships.
LigaChem Biosciences CEO Kim Yong-ju said, "Han is an expert with global-level research and development capabilities in ADCs and immuno-oncology," adding, "With this hire, we will maintain our strengths in ADCs while expanding into new platforms to leap forward as a comprehensive oncology new drug development corporations."