“Will become a CRO specializing in cell·gene therapy”

Interview | Director Eun-Kyung Sohn, HCO at Seoul CRO

Part of CHA Medical & Bio Group… has the strength of being able to utilize the internal infrastructure

Will also make efforts to establish a logistics system for cell·gene therapies, which is more difficult than that made for general chemical drugs

Director Eun-Kyung Sohn, HCO at Seoul CRO

“I believe the cell·gene therapy market will expand the greatest among biopharmaceuticals.

 

The number of new clinical trials entering the field increased over threefold from 2016, and the role of CROs that have strengths in conducting clinical trials for cell· gene-based therapies will further increase in the coming future.” Director Sohn explained her vision of growing the company into a cell·gene therapy specialized CRO in line with the industry trend.

 

Director Eun-Kyung Sohn, HCO (Head of Clinical Operation·46) at Seoul CRO, joined the company in December last year.

 

Sohn aims to find a breakthrough in the midst of the intensifying competition in the CRO market by developing Seoul CRO’s own area of expertise.

 

In an interview held at Seoul CRO’s Gangnam office, Sohn relayed the company’s vision for growth into a cell·gene therapy specialized CRO.

 

Director Sohn is a seasoned veteran that has over 20 years of experience accumulated in various prominent CROs in Korea, including Dream CIS and C&R Research.

 

During her previous work at QVIS, Sohn was in charge of general project management for bioventure companies.

 

Sohn said, “Bioventure companies are highly dependent on CRO companies due to their weak clinical infrastructure, and I was in charge of providing consulting, management, and training for our clients that contracted their research to the company.” Sohn’s career in the field fits will with Seoul CRO’s direction in attracting more cell·gene therapy venture companies for research.

 

After joining Seoul CRO, Director Sohn has been in charge of the overall management of CRO-related clinical tasks that were by the pharmaceutical and bio company clients.

 

Seoul CRO’s plan to become a cell·gene therapy specialized CRO reflects the company’s strategy to embrace the market situation while incorporating the company’s strengths.

 

Sohn said, “With the number of CROs increasing recently, I believe each CRO should have a specialized area of expertise rather than cover all services.

 

Seoul CRO aims to attract bioventures, especially those that develop cell·gene-based therapies.” Seoul CRO is part of the CHA Medical & Bio Group.

 

The group has companies that specialize in the development of cell therapy products, including CHA Biotech.

 

It also has hospitals that can actually conduct clinical trials for contracted cell therapy products.

 

Seoul CRO plans to fully utilize its internal infrastructure and actively conduct clinical trials related to cell therapies.

 

"The CHA Bundang Medical Center of the CHA Medical & Bio Group has a Global Stem Cell Clinical Trials Center that offers a one-stop service from incubation to administration for more effective cell therapy trials.

 

We plan to utilize such strengths to attract and conduct more clinical trials.” The company is also preparing to establish a logistics system for cell·gene therapies.

 

Sohn said, “Unlike general chemical drugs that can be transported at room temperature, logistics is a sensitive issue for cell therapies as these drugs are sensitive to temperature and have time constraints, requiring rapid transport before entering clinical trials." "This is why logistics is a sensitive and important issue from the client’s perspective, and why we are planning to set a separate department dedicated to cell and gene therapies with logistics companies." The company will also strengthen training in related areas.

 

Seoul CRO will provide training to its employees for accurate understanding and application of relevant clinical laws and guidelines, and hold seminars in cooperation with affiliate hospitals for its external clients.

 

Seoul CRO has accumulated a broad range of clinical experience in biopharmaceuticals, managing over 40 clinical cases including those for antibody treatments, protein drugs, vaccines, and cell therapies.

 

The company has the most clinical experience in cell therapies, with experience accumulated from 16 cases.

 

The company plans to further strengthen its existing strengths while specializing in cell and gene therapies.

 

Seoul CRO also has strengths in medical devices and post-marketing clinical trials.

 

“We plan to expand our scope to the global market in the mid-to-long term in the growing field of post-marketing clinical trials.

 

Seoul CRO focuses on providing customer-oriented communication and service, and owns specialized vendors and the internal infrastructure to provide consulting and clinical trial-based services for the whole cycle from early stages of development to post-approval marketing strategies.” “It is important to have the expert personnel and infrastructure to conduct clinical research for cell and gene therapies.

 

Bioventures will look for CROs that own such infrastructure and networks, which makes it ever more important for local CROs to be equipped with such competitivity." “After serving over 20 years in this field, I believe I acquired a good understanding of what is desired and needed by the clients.

 

In essence, the mindset of taking responsibility into my own hands until the end is important.

 

I plan to incorporate this into my work at Seoul CRO.”