SK Biopharmaceuticals(326030) hired Dr. Kim Tae-ho, who led neuroscience drug discovery research at Novartis for 12 years. It expanded and reorganized its existing central nervous system (CNS) research organization into a "neuroscience division" reporting directly to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is moving to discover next-generation drug candidates.
SK Biopharmaceuticals said on the 8th that it recently hired Dr. Kim Tae-ho as head of the neuroscience division (VP, Global Head of Neuroscience).
Dr. Kim is an expert with more than 20 years of experience in new drug development in neuroscience. At Novartis, over 12 years, Dr. Kim handled neuroscience research, gaining experience from discovering drug candidates to preclinical studies, early clinical development, and setting research and development strategy.
Along with hiring Dr. Kim, SK Biopharmaceuticals reorganized its existing CNS research organization into a neuroscience division. Operated as a unit reporting directly to the CEO, it oversees neuroscience research and translational research, research strategy, and the portfolio of drug candidates.
Going forward, Dr. Kim will discover next-generation neuroscience drug candidates and lead external technology in-licensing and joint research at home and abroad. Building on its experience of independently developing the epilepsy treatment "Cenobamate (brand name Xcopri)" and launching it in the U.S. market, SK Biopharmaceuticals is working to secure a follow-up neuroscience drug pipeline.
The company is also reinforcing global professionals in the development stage. In Jul., it hired Kim Soo-young, MD, who accumulated more than 18 years of experience in oncology clinical practice and new drug development at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and AbbVie, as vice president of clinical development (VP, Clinical Development). It also assigned eight physicians (MDs) to clinical development, pharmacovigilance, and medical affairs, centered on its U.S. subsidiary SK Life Science.
SK Biopharmaceuticals plans to strengthen its end-to-end research and development capabilities for new drugs. It is also pushing an "East-West Bridge" strategy to identify drug candidates in Korea and the rest of Asia, connect them through preclinical and early clinical stages, and advance them to global development.
Lee Dong-hoon, president of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said, "A global new drug is not completed merely by finding a good molecule; from the early stages of research and development, we must consider what therapeutic value it will provide to actual patients," adding, "We are strengthening an R&D system that connects research to clinical development and commercialization through collaboration between research experts and professionals with medical backgrounds."