[비즈한국] Tae-han Kim, former CEO of Samsung Biologics207940, has joined HLB028300. The industry is closely watching as the former leader of a K-Bio frontrunner takes the helm at HLB, which is currently pursuing the US market entry of its liver cancer drug combination therapy, rivoceranib and camrelizumab.
HLB announced on the 1st that it had appointed Tae-han Kim, the former CEO of Samsung Biologics, as the Chairman of Bio Operations for the HLB Group.
Chairman Kim is regarded as a legendary figure who worked at the Samsung Group for over 40 years and led the first 10 years of Samsung Biologics, a leader in K-Bio, helping elevate the domestic bio industry to a world-class level. In particular, he successfully implemented a 'super-gap' strategy—distancing competitors through bold investments, rapid decision-making, and an uncompromising commitment to quality—which contributed to Samsung Biologics leaping forward as a global CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) company. Samsung Biologics has grown into a top 2-3 global CDMO company, possessing the world's largest biopharmaceutical production capacity.
In a press release, Chairman Kim stated, "I will contribute to advancing our business structure so that R&D achievements do not remain one-off successes but lead to sustainable corporate value." He added, "I will actively support the next growth phase of HLB Group's bio business by strengthening the system in which R&D, business, and global strategies operate organically."
HLB is currently facing difficulties as market confidence has declined and stock prices have plummeted due to delays in the US approval process for the rivoceranib and camrelizumab combination therapy. However, the industry believes that Chairman Kim's arrival will significantly contribute to restoring market trust in HLB. Furthermore, analysts suggest that as HLB evolves from an R&D-centric company into a global pharmaceutical firm that generates profit, Chairman Kim's success DNA, along with his know-how in commercialization, global production, and sales network construction, will be a major driving force for internal improvement. An HLB representative said, "Given that Chairman Kim is highly knowledgeable about global standards and systems, there are high internal expectations for him."