SK Biopharm Strengthens R&D with Former GSK Experts at U.S. Subsidiary

SK Biopharm is strengthening its research and development capabilities by securing top-tier talent. The company announced on the 17th that its U.S.-based research-focused subsidiary, SK Life Science Labs, has recruited Dr. Ryan Kruger as the Head of the Biology Division and Dr. Steven Knight as the Head of the Chemistry Division. This recruitment aligns with SK Biopharm’s strategy of “globalizing research,” which was emphasized earlier this year.

SK Biopharm has selected RPT (Radiopharmaceutical Therapy) and TPD (Targeted Protein Degradation) as next-generation modalities for research, with a particular focus on TPD at SK Life Science Labs. SK Life Science Labs is developing protein degraders based on its innovative platform for discovering Heterobifunctional Degraders and Molecular Glue. Currently, the company has developed seven cancer drug pipelines.

Dr. Ryan Kruger is an expert in cancer biology and epigenetics with a background leading research and development at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and biotech companies. He earned his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. With experience in successfully transitioning to early clinical stages, Dr. Kruger will lead the biology research team at SK Life Science Labs, driving research and development.

Dr. Steven Knight is a medicinal chemistry expert who led the development of small molecules and TPD-based drug candidates during his 25 years at GSK. He holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania. At SK Life Science Labs, Dr. Knight will accelerate the development of key compounds.

In addition, SK Life Science, the U.S. subsidiary of SK Biopharm, has recruited two new medical directors (MDs). Dr. Evelyn Shih, a pediatric neurology expert, will be in charge of the CNS (Central Nervous System) clinical division, while Dr. Marcus Loeffler, an oncology expert, will handle the oncology and radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) clinical division. Their recruitment is expected to play a key role in strengthening SK Life Science’s oncology and CNS research capabilities.