SK Biopharm Launches President-Direct Advisory Committee... Aiming to Establish Itself as a 'Big Biotech'

Establishment of Scientific Advisory Committee for 'Big Biotech' Leap
Dr. Bang Young-joo, Expert in Oncology and Clinical Development, Appointed as Inaugural Chair
"Realizing Mid- to Long-Term Strategy and Vision"

SK Biopharm announced on the 3rd that it has launched a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to realize its newly established mid- to long-term strategy and vision.

SK Biopharm CI. [Image provided by SK Biopharm]

The company explained that the board was established to position SK Biopharm as a global top-tier "big biotech." Big biotech refers to companies that continuously develop new drugs by introducing innovative technologies through active inorganic growth based on strong cash generation capabilities.

The board, directly under the president, consists of five members including physician-scientists and experts in clinical, diagnostics, treatment, and new drug development. The company expects the board to provide scientific insights to expand the indications of "cenobamate" and to extend into oncology, new modalities (therapeutic approaches), and technology platforms. SK Biopharm plans to accelerate new drug development by collaborating with the board to acquire a second commercialized product and introduce next-generation core technologies in three major areas: radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), targeted protein degradation (TPD), and cell and gene therapy (CGT).

Dr. Young-Joo Bang, recognized as an authority in gastric cancer-targeted oncology and immuno-oncology clinical medicine, was appointed as the chairperson. Dr. Bang is an expert in oncology and clinical development with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice. He has served as president of the Korean Cancer Association, chairman of the Korean Association for Cancer Chemotherapy, president of the Korean Society of Medical Oncology, professor of internal medicine and director of the Biomedical Research Institute at Seoul National University Hospital, and director of the Clinical Trial Center. Dr. Bang was awarded the Kobayashi Foundation Award in 2012, among other honors, in recognition of his contributions to oncology research and treatment advancements.

Professor Jacqueline French, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer at the Epilepsy Foundation and neurology professor at the State University of New York College of Medicine; Professor Steve Chung, neurology professor at Banner University Medical Center and an expert in epilepsy treatment and neurology; Professor Min Il, an expert in radiopharmaceutical development and theranostics (companion diagnostic therapy) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology and Radiological Science; and Dr. Cheol-Young Maeng, an expert in new drug development and the pharmaceutical industry, also participate as advisory members.

According to the company, Professor Jacqueline French has held a key role as a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials for new epilepsy drugs over the past 20 years, demonstrating expertise in epilepsy and neurology. Professor Steve Chung currently serves as chair of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Industry Advisory Board. Professor Min Il is an expert in cancer diagnosis using molecular imaging and nanotechnology, RPT, and molecular genetic therapy development, and serves as a director of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA). Dr. Cheol-Young Maeng has been involved in research and development in the pharmaceutical industry for 23 years. SK Biopharm plans to additionally recruit an authority in the CGT field to the board in the future.

Chairperson Bang said, "I am honored to serve as the inaugural chair of the SK Biopharm Scientific Advisory Board," and pledged, "I will spare no effort to help SK Biopharm realize its vision of becoming a globally top-tier, balanced 'big biotech.'"

SK Biopharm President Dong-Hoon Lee stated, "The highest level of scientific insight from the Scientific Advisory Board, including Chairperson Young-Joo Bang, will serve as a reliable compass in an uncertain future," and added, "We expect the Scientific Advisory Board, composed of global authorities, to be a great driving force for SK Biopharm’s innovation and development."

Meanwhile, SK Biopharm operates a board of directors composed of external key experts. SK Biopharm appointed Haeyoung Ahn, CEO of Anbio Consulting; Minji Kim, CEO of Crossborder Partners; and Minseop Song, professor of business administration at Sogang University, as outside directors. Yeontae Kim, head of SK㈜ Bio Investment Center, participates in the board to enhance synergy between SK㈜ and SK Biopharm and to increase SK Biopharm’s corporate value. The board supports rapid decision-making for discovering new business opportunities, creating new markets, and conducting global research and development (R&D) projects for SK Biopharm.

CEO Haeyoung Ahn previously served as deputy director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CEO Minji Kim has experience in management and business development at global big pharma companies. Professor Minseop Song of Sogang University serves on the Korean Accounting Standards Board’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and provides advice on company operations as an expert in financial accounting.

Members of the SK Biopharm Scientific Advisory Committee.
[Photo by SK Biopharm]

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