VaxCell-Bio enhances R&D capabilities with new scientific advisory board

VaxCell-Bio, a local immunotherapy developer, has announced the formation of a new scientific advisory board and the expansion of its R&D organization.

Through the restructuring, the company aims to accelerate the development and global recognition of its immunotherapy platforms, including CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-MILs.

In detail, VaxCell-Bio said it has appointed two new members to its advisory board – Ryu Byeong-uk, a pioneer in CAR-T therapy research and development in the U.S., and Lee Seung-hwan, a renowned authority in immunotherapy research from the University of Ottawa, Canada -- on a one-year advisory contract.

Ryu's impressive career includes his tenure at Bluebird Bio, a U.S. biotech company, where he contributed to the design of lentiviral vectors, resulting in the development of two U.S. FDA-approved therapies.

These include the BCMA CAR-T therapy (BMS Abecma) for multiple myeloma and the gene therapy Zynteglo for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.

Additionally, Ryu has led stem cell and CAR-T clinical research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Professor Lee, a full professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa, is recognized for his pioneering work in combining natural killer (NK) cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for cancer immunotherapy.

VaxCell-Bio CEO Lee Je-jung expressed his optimism about the appointments.

"The addition of these two scientists will accelerate the development of our Vax-CAR platform, including CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-MILs, and enhance our global standing," Lee said. "We anticipate solidifying VaxCell-Bio's leadership in the NK cell and CAR therapy sectors."

Alongside the new advisory board, VaxCell-Bio has restructured its research organization. The company has merged its process development and technology research teams into a single R&D center.

The newly integrated R&D center will be led by the newly appointed CSO, Kim Sang-ki, who previously headed the process development unit.