1. We recognize that Enzychem Lifesciences
Corporation is one of the fastest growing biopharmaceutical companies in Korea,
and we admire the efficient and proactive expansion. What are the major
business philosophies and strategies of Enzychem Lifesciences? How would you
distinguish Enzychem Lifesciences from other potential competitors throughout
the globe?
- Dr. George Merck, who established
Merck in the United States, founded the company with the principle that
“Medicine is for patients, not for profits.” Our company shares this very philosophy
and believes that it is our obligation to develop medicine for two reasons: to
save lives, and to improve human well-being. Enzychem Lifesciences develops new
drugs to provide medication to all those who need it around the world. In doing
so, our company strives to embody three traits: “creative,” “unique,” and
“independent.” To be creative means to discover new uses from old traditions
and apply them with modern technology. Our company began developing a new
medicine upon discovering a new compound called EC-18 from deer antler, which
has been consumed for as long as 2,000 years by our Korean ancestors. To be
unique means to develop and manufacture a new drug, using unprecedented
methodologies. Enzychem has uniquely patented technologies to complete this
process. Last but not least, to be independent means to build the company’s
capabilities in leading the process and utilizing its own resources. To this
day, Enzychem is competent in fulfilling the operations of global new drug
development and we will continue to successfully lead them until completion.
- There are many great biotech
companies in the world that are constantly developing new medicine and hold a
stellar record of creating many blockbuster drugs. Our company does not intend
to compete with them but rather, we seek synergistic collaboration through
EC-18. EC-18 is an immunoregulatory substance which controls and modulates
immunoproteins, such as cytokine and chemokine, movements of immunocytes, which
are neutrophils and eosinophils, and inflammatory cells. Thus, there is a high
probability that it will be used as a combination therapy with existing drugs,
most of which function only as inhibitors or activators. Our new drug, which
helps control the immune system, will mutually benefit both Enzychem and global
biopharmaceutical companies through collaborative programs.
2. Enzychem Lifesciences has been
developing new drug candidates to address the unmet medical needs. The
development of EC-18, the world’s first oral medicine to prevent and treat
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, has been strengthening Enzychem Lifesciences’
global competitiveness. What does ‘globalization’ mean to Enzychem
Lifesciences?
- We believe every company shares
the ultimate goal of bettering society. As a life sciences corporation,
Enzychem sustains the duty of constantly challenging ourselves to fight
incurable diseases and work towards a world without illnesses, and for that
reason, globalization is our priority. Our company carries an ongoing effort in
researching and developing new medicine in compliance with international
standards and protocols. Furthermore, we are working closely with top experts
in each field around the world in our efforts to achieve this goal.
3. As an entrepreneur, what would
you say are the top three priority assets or skill sets needed to be successful
in the global healthcare industry?
- As the CEO of Enzychem
Lifesciences and an entrepreneur, I practice three things that can be the
answer to this question: leadership, scholarship, and stewardship. Leadership
entails the ability to gather and usher various talents into a project with a
clear objective. Successful entrepreneurs are able to do this by fostering
teamwork, team efforts, and team spirit. Before seeking collaboration with companies
outside ours, it’s essential to maintain a harmony amongst the members of
Enzychem. This way, both internal and external roles in the development of
EC-18 can be interfaced and combined. Scholarship involves continuous
educational research, a necessary step in the development process. Scientific
studies in a variety of areas, including medical science, pharmacy,
biotechnology, biology, and chemistry, are vital in new medicine
developments. Stewardship is an invaluable
entrepreneurial skill, especially in the development of a new, global drug.
Projects like this require astronomical investments from outside parties, and
therefore entrepreneurs hold the responsibilities of maintaining the value of
assets, as well as being transparent to and sustaining trust with stockholders
and investors.
One distinguishing quality of the
healthcare industry is that changes and innovations require a great amount of
time unlike other industry areas, such as fashion and IT, whom can produce new
results on an annual basis. A single change in healthcare can take five to ten
years, and requires endurance, patience, and the persevering spirit of a
marathon runner. I completed the Chosun Ilbo Marathon Tournament in Korea for
the last decade and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Doing so was a
challenge, but was nonetheless possible with physical strength, pace
adjustment, and the never-give-up mentality. The necessary capacities for
running a marathon and developing new medicine is the same in the sense that
milestone management, endurance, and patience are all imperative for success.
4. Chairman Sohn, you have been
recognized as one of the most successful CEOs in Korea’s pharmaceutical
industry, according to Power Korea. As the chairman of Enzychem Lifesciences
Corporation, what are some of the major performances and outcomes the company
has accomplished under your leadership? What are the long-term goals and
visions you hope to see the company achieve?
- Based on two decades of EC-18
substance and efficacy research by Professor Sang-Hee Kim, a hematological
tumor specialist in Seoul Asan Medical Center, our company conducted six years
of further research on the compound. As a result, our company is able to
successfully mass produce EC18. We’ve also completed construction of a GMP
factory that will accommodate this entire process. Currently, we are conducting
ongoing research on EC-18’s immunoregulation mechanism of action from 2013, as
well as clinical trials for two different indications both in Korea and United
States.
As the leader of the company, I
engage in every step of Enzychem’s new drug development process and
micro-manage details with great concentration. My belief is that the leader
should not only provide far-sighted vision and goals, but also pay a great
amount of attention to detail. Through such processes, Enzychem built an
infrastructure and a set of comprehensive procedures for the global new drug
development. Another strength of Enzychem is its multiple layers of networks
and outside resources. We’ve established strong networks and resources that
function as extended workforce to support our operations. Furthermore, we
participate in many of government granted and supported programs, utilize the
advice of outside experts and professionals, and collaborate with world class
laboratories and scientists.
As I mentioned earlier, Enzychem’s
new drug candidate EC-18, with its immune regulating mechanism, will resolve
existing medications’ limits, minimize adverse events through combination
therapy, and ultimately increase the value of already commercialized medicines.
This will help reduce the development cost of big pharmaceutical companies and
healthcare expenditures while also improving the efficacies of the treatment.
It is our mission to develop the safest and most economical form of EC-18 to
treat various immune disorders.
5. You serve as the Chairman of
Enzychem Lifesciences. As one of the key opinion leaders in Korea’s
biopharmaceutical industry, what are some significant changes you have noticed
in the particular work field? And what do you forecast will occur in global and
Korean biopharmaceuticals within the next five years?
- In the recent decade, the Korean
biopharma industry put its utmost efforts as well as significant investments
into global new drug development. The Korean government designated the bio
health industry as the next growth engine of the nation. In an effort to
enhance the competition of the industry, the government allocated many
resources, established promotional policies and launched supporting programs.
As a result, the Korean biopharma industry started to bear some fruit in recent
years. These include mega-size global licensing deals, and a substantial growth
in market capitalization for the Korean biopharma companies. I believe the
global recognition of Korean biopharma as a fast-growing industry will provide
a beneficial environment for Enzychem’s new drug development programs.
- The most significant trend of
global biopharmaceuticals in the next five years will include the expansion of
human immune and gene related technologies and therapies. Maintaining
homeostasis and strengthening the immune system are essential in preserving
human health. Thus, our immune regulating substance can be used in various ways
for all of biopharma partners in the future.
6. WKMJ has readers from more than
10 countries globally. Please share your final words with our readers.
- I’d like to pay tribute to WKMJ
not only for introducing inspiring stories of eminent physicians who have
contributed tremendously in the field of medicine, but also for investigating
and introducing new stories related to the bio-health industry to promote
attention to this industry. It is my great honor to be highlighted in WKMJ. I
wish what I shared in this interview can provide interest to many readers and
enhance their understanding and recognition of Korea and Enzychem Lifesciences
as potential partners for future collaboration.
Ki-Young Sohn
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at
Enzychem Lifesciences Corporation
Ki-Young Sohn is the CEO and Chairman of
biopharmaceutical company, Enzychem Lifesciences Corporation, a number one
leading corporation in the KONEX stock market of Korea. Enzychem’s innovative
new drug development program is backed by a 17-year history of API manufacturing.
Prior to Enzychem, Mr. Sohn served as Chairman of Bridget Lifesciences
Corporation, a professor at the International Management Institute of
Federation of Korean Industries, and as Director of Samil Accounting
Corporation, which is now known as PWC. Chairman Sohn holds a B.A. and an
M.B.A. in Business Administration from Korea University.