KDDF appoints Mook Hyun-sang as new CEO

- an expert in rich experience and extensive knowledge in open innovation and global technology transfer -

Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF), a consortium of three health-related Korean Ministries – the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning; the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy; and the Ministry of Health and Welfare – announced on December 19th that the organization had named Mook Hyun-sang (former CEO of Medifron DBT) as its third chief executive officer.

KDDF finally selected its new leader in a meeting of the board of directors after the three ministries publicly recruited eligible candidates on September and performed the three screening tests (written screening, interview, and qualification tests).

The selected CEO started to work from December 19th, 2016. He will retain the post until September 9^th, 2020.

KDDF is a full-phase, government-initiated drug development program. It aims to develop at least 10 new drugs for the global market by 2020 and to advance a new drug development R&D investment platform. Instead of pursuing R&D-oriented projects in terms of simple management of such projects, KDDF has fully engaged in initiatives to strengthen its R&BD (Research & Business Development) function – i.e., its business-centered assistance program – beginning from an idea creation and continuing to the planning and investment stage.

One of Mook’s major achievements has been to successfully make a technology transfer deal with Roche for the second time in Asia (following a prior deal of Japanese company). With his rich experience and extensive knowledge of open innovation, Mook has proven his expertise not only in developing new medicines but also in commercializing and marketing them.

“Based on my 10-year career in the open-innovation sector, including successful technology transfer with Global Big Pharma, I will do my best to explore and support new research findings that will lead to the development of new drugs in the long run. I will also spare no effort to boost the technology transfer,” Mook said.