Professor Park Yeong-min of the Department of Integrative Biological Sciences and Industry at Sejong University has been appointed the second CEO of the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF).
The KDDF said Monday that CEO Park began his term with an inauguration ceremony with the KDDF staff.
Park's term of office will be three years, from March 4, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2027, and can be extended for two years through performance evaluation.
Park has served as the director of the MRC (Medical Science and Engineering Research Center), the leading research center for basic biomedical sciences at the Ministry of Science and ICT, the dean of the College of Biomedical and Health Science at Konkuk University, and the head of the Department of Medicine at the Basic Research Division of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
In particular, he has been prioritizing research on overcoming intractable diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, which are rapidly increasing in line with the population aging and is recognized as an expert with expertise and knowledge.
"In line with the incumbent government's 12 Major National Strategic Technology Policy, we will focus on the development of innovative new drugs based on artificial intelligence as well as biotechnology through digital convergence, spare no effort to support the development of new modality drugs, and focus on creating results by eliminating bottlenecks and expanding support programs for global expansion," Park said in his inaugural speech.
He expressed his aspirations as the second head of the business unit, saying, "We will create fair opportunities and corresponding results through equality of opportunity as well as equality of results, and provide practical help to R&D sites."
Park went on to say, "We will strengthen our internal and external cooperation system and communication so that we can take the lead in responding to the rapidly changing healthcare field based on fair and rigorous business conduct and strive to help the organization and its members grow together."
Meanwhile, the KDDF is an inter-ministerial national R&D project launched to strengthen the global competitiveness of Korea’s pharmaceutical and bio-industry industry. For 10 years from 2021, it will support the entire new drug development life cycle to strengthen the domestic R&D ecosystem, create global commercialization results, and create public benefits in the healthcare sector.