Former Korea Bio Association Chairman Lee Byung-gun will serve as a special adviser to Aribio, which is developing a new drug to treat dementia.
Aribio said on the 27th that it has invited the former chairman as a special adviser ahead of the completion of the global phase 3 trial and the announcement of top-line results for AR1001, an oral Alzheimer's dementia drug in development.
The special adviser is regarded as a key leader who has left a major mark on the pharmaceutical and biotech industry for about 40 years. Lee currently serves as chairman of the Korea Support Committee of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), special adviser for Korea at Flagship Pioneering, the global biotech investment firm that founded Moderna, which developed a COVID-19 vaccine, and as a Commissioner of the National Advanced Strategic Industry Committee and the Biohealth Innovation Committee.
Previously, as chairman of the Korea Bio Association, Lee led the building of the industrial ecosystem and the elevation of its global standing. Lee also served as vice chairman of Chong Kun Dang pharmaceutical, CEO of GC Biopharma, and chairman and CEO of GI Innovation.
Aribio will complete the global phase 3 trial of the oral Alzheimer's treatment AR1001 in the first half of this year, and is set for a top-line announcement in the second half and a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA.
Aribio CEO Jeong Jae-joon said, "We expect the special adviser, with outstanding leadership, to connect the large-scale clinical results to successful commercialization and lead Aribio onto the global stage."
Special Adviser Lee Byung-gun said, "AR1001, which Aribio is developing, is an innovative new drug candidate that will change the paradigm of early Alzheimer's treatment, and global experts are paying attention," adding, "I will pour all global networks and know-how into helping achieve successful commercialization so AR1001 can bring hope to dementia patients and families worldwide."