UCB Korea announced the appointment of Edward Lee as its new general manager, effective Nov. 1.

With over 15 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, Lee has expertise in expanding access to medicines, collaborating with medical teams, and evaluating the value and cost-effectiveness of treatments. He also has a track record of advancing patient-centered healthcare and driving long-term improvements.

Lee joined UCB in 2016 and has held key positions at its U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries, as well as at the Intercontinental Headquarters. Most recently, he served as Head of Intercontinental Access, Sustainability, and External Engagement, leading strategies to improve healthcare access and strengthen health equity.

Before joining UCB, he worked at Astellas and Boehringer Ingelheim, leading multiple projects on new drug value assessment and improving patient access. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed a fellowship program in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) jointly conducted by Thomas Jefferson University and Daiichi Sankyo.

“UCB Korea will proactively drive change and innovation, focusing on enhancing access to innovative therapies that prioritize patients and support a sustainable healthcare ecosystem,” Lee said. “Our goal is to deepen collaboration with patients, healthcare professionals, the government, and key partners during approval and reimbursement processes for new products. By doing so, we aim to ensure faster treatment access and improved health outcomes for Korean patients.”

UCB, headquartered in Belgium, focuses on research and development for brain and immune system diseases. Recently, it received approval in Korea to market Bimzelx for plaque psoriasis and Zilbrysq and Rystiggo for myasthenia gravis.