Samsung Electronics appoints Bioepis CEO Ko Han-sung to lead future business planning

In a significant leadership shuffle, Samsung Electronics has appointed Ko Han-sung, CEO of Samsung Bioepis, the longest-serving CEO within Samsung Group, to lead its future business planning unit.

The appointment, announced during the company's 2025 executive reshuffle on Wednesday, marks a strategic shift as Ko brings his extensive biotech expertise to the group's future business development initiatives.

Ko, who steered Samsung Bioepis for 13 years, becomes the third chief of Samsung's future planning division, following the footsteps of former Samsung SDI Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun and Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions Division President Kyung Kye-hyun.

Notably, Ko’s appointment is garnering attention as he brings a pure biotechnology background to a position previously held by electronics industry veterans.

With a Ph.D. in genetic engineering from Northwestern University and a biochemistry degree from UC Berkeley, Ko's journey with Samsung began in 2000 as a biotechnology advisor at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.

His leadership at Samsung Bioepis has been marked by remarkable success, with the company posting cumulative sales of 1.14 trillion won ($816.6 million) in just three quarters this year.

Industry observers are keenly watching whether this appointment signals an expanded role for biotechnology in Samsung's future business strategy.

Meanwhile, Ko's influence also extended beyond Samsung.

In January 2023, he was reappointed as the eighth chairman of the KoreaBIO, a bioindustry organization encompassing over 600 pharmaceuticals, medical devices, environmental technology, and biotechnology, for another two years.

His appointment followed a successful seventh term during which the association saw a 34 percent increase in regular membership.

Regarding an inquiry from Korea Biomedical Review, a KoreaBIO official explained that Ko's position within the association will not change.

“The chairman's new role at Samsung Electronics' Future Business Planning Division will continue to encompass biotech initiatives,” a KoreaBIO official said. “As a result, Ko will maintain his current role within the association.”

Kim Kyung-ah named new Samsung Bioepis head

Amid Ko’s transition, Samsung Bioepis announced Kim Kyung-ah, Executive Vice President and Head of Development, as its new CEO and President.

Kim Kyung-ah’s promotion also marks a historic moment as she becomes Samsung Group’s first non-founder female CEO. A renowned expert in biosimilar development, Kim holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in pharmacy from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in toxicology from Johns Hopkins University. 

She joined Samsung Electronics’ Advanced Technology Institute as a senior researcher in biopharmaceutical development in 2010 and moved to Samsung Bioepis in 2015.

According to Samsung Bioepis, throughout her tenure, Kim has played a pivotal role in biosimilar development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. 

“Kim Kyung-ah’s leadership symbolizes a new era for Samsung Bioepis, embodying innovation, diversity, and empowerment,” a company official said.