Leadership | SapiensBio

Company

Data-Driven Technology-Based Drug Discovery Solution

Leadership

CEO

Name	Biography
Kanghyun Ryoo	Kanghyun Ryoo, appointed CEO of SapiensBio in 2024, boasts over 25 years of expertise spanning biochemistry, cell biology, neurobiology, and electrophysiology. With a Ph.D. from Korea University, his research focused on cell signaling mechanisms. Noteworthy contributions include groundbreaking neurobiological research conducted at esteemed institutions such as Duke University, KIST, and Korea University. In 2018, he led pivotal initiatives at YD Life Science, including a Phase 2 clinical trial and innovative projects targeting Alzheimer’s disease, neuropathic pain, cancer, and respiratory ailments. His leadership extends to managing strategic research collaborations and spearheading business development endeavors.

Name

Biography

Kanghyun Ryoo

Kanghyun Ryoo, appointed CEO of SapiensBio in 2024, boasts over 25 years of expertise spanning biochemistry, cell biology, neurobiology, and electrophysiology. With a Ph.D. from Korea University, his research focused on cell signaling mechanisms. Noteworthy contributions include groundbreaking neurobiological research conducted at esteemed institutions such as Duke University, KIST, and Korea University. In 2018, he led pivotal initiatives at YD Life Science, including a Phase 2 clinical trial and innovative projects targeting Alzheimer’s disease, neuropathic pain, cancer, and respiratory ailments. His leadership extends to managing strategic research collaborations and spearheading business development endeavors.

CSO

Name	Biography
Incheol Ryu	Ph.D. in Life Science, POSTECH RNA Genomics – Research Professor, Korea Univ.

CTO

Name	Biography
Dong Oh Yoon	Ph.D. in Pharmacy, SungKyunKwan Univ. Medicinal Chemistry – PRS, JW Pharmaceutical – PRS, JW C&C Research Laboratories

CFO

Name	Biography
Bo Sung Choi	CFA English Language & Literature, Yonsei University – CFO, Cerecin Pte. Ltd – CEO, Mirae Asset Hong Kong – CEO, Mirae Asset Singapore

CEO, USA

Name	Biography
Jose Freire	Jose Freire joined SapiensBio in 2022, where he currently serves as CEO of the US office. His extensive background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug development positions him to lead the company in advancing innovative therapies for medical needs. Before joining SapiensBio, he spent nearly 8 years at Merck & Co (MSD), where he held the position of Executive Director in the Business Development department. He was responsible for searching and evaluating in-licensing opportunities in Respiratory and Immunology. Notable achievements during this time include the out-licensing of llumya (tildrakizumab) to Sun Pharmaceuticals. Prior to his tenure at MSD, he worked at Forest Laboratories Inc., where he held various positions from 2002 to 2022. Starting as a Senior Principal Scientist in the Pharmacology department, he provided preclinical pharmacology support in inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Over the years, he played a key role in evaluating in-licensing opportunities across therapeutic areas and preparing regulatory documents. Jose Freire began his career conducting research on T cell activation and anti-inflammatory projects at Syntex, where he worked from 1988 until Roche’s acquisition in 1995. Following this acquisition, he joined Roche Bioscience, contributing to the validation and preclinical development of various inflammation programs within the Arthritis Therapy area. He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 1984. His doctoral research focused on characterizing thymic factors and their role in lymphocyte differentiation.

Name

Biography

Jose Freire

Jose Freire joined SapiensBio in 2022, where he currently serves as CEO of the US office. His extensive background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug development positions him to lead the company in advancing innovative therapies for medical needs. Before joining SapiensBio, he spent nearly 8 years at Merck & Co (MSD), where he held the position of Executive Director in the Business Development department. He was responsible for searching and evaluating in-licensing opportunities in Respiratory and Immunology. Notable achievements during this time include the out-licensing of llumya (tildrakizumab) to Sun Pharmaceuticals.

Prior to his tenure at MSD, he worked at Forest Laboratories Inc., where he held various positions from 2002 to 2022. Starting as a Senior Principal Scientist in the Pharmacology department, he provided preclinical pharmacology support in inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Over the years, he played a key role in evaluating in-licensing opportunities across therapeutic areas and preparing regulatory documents.

Jose Freire began his career conducting research on T cell activation and anti-inflammatory projects at Syntex, where he worked from 1988 until Roche’s acquisition in 1995. Following this acquisition, he joined Roche Bioscience, contributing to the validation and preclinical development of various inflammation programs within the Arthritis Therapy area.

He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 1984. His doctoral research focused on characterizing thymic factors and their role in lymphocyte differentiation.