About Us
NovMetaPharma is pioneering the development of innovative therapies for metabolic and fibrotic diseases.
Our two lead assets, the first-in-class Cyclo-Z (Phase 2 ready) and CHP (Phase 1 ready), exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. These versatile assets hold promise across a spectrum of conditions where inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis play key roles. These diseases include diabetic kidney disease, obesity and rare conditions including FSHD and DMD.
CEO
Sunwook Hwang
CEO Hwang is the founder and CEO of NovMetaPharma (formerly PNC METAPHARM Co., Ltd.), a position he has held since 2010. Prior to this, he served as CEO of HEDGEHOG INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd., and Vice President at JUST PARTNERS Co., Ltd., following his leadership roles as CEO of JUST INVESTMENT Co., Ltd. and JUST INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMPANY. Earlier in his career, from 1984 to 1998, CEO Hwang built a robust financial foundation at HANIL Bank and DONGHWA Bank, where he specialized in FX management, international affairs, human resources, trust management, and equity investment—achieving top sector returns in 1996–97. His entrepreneurial leadership and deep financial expertise continue to drive the growth and innovation of NovMetaPharma.
CTO
Hoe-Yune Jung, PhD
Dr. Hoe-Yune Jung is a biotechnology innovator and scientific entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing therapeutics for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. He holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Bioscience from POSTECH, where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor. He has nearly 200 global patents and over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Before founding the R&D division at NovMetaPharma in 2015, Dr. Jung held key research roles at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) and collaborated with Harvard Medical School on treatments for diabetes, obesity, NAFLD, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. At NovMetaPharma, he has led extensive research into fibrosis across multiple organs, expanded the company’s therapeutic pipeline for complex indications, and built a strong team of talented scientists.
Executive Vice President
Peter Lee
As COO of NovMetaPharma (since Feb 2011), Peter (Heonjong) Lee has extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing, clinical trial management, and investor relations. Previously, he was a Consultant for US tech firms MaxLinear and Azimuth (2009-2011), and Asia Pacific Sales Director at MaxLinear (2005-2009). His background also includes marketing leadership at PnP Networks (2004-2005), management roles at LG Electronics (North American digital broadcasting, 2003-2004) and Humax (New Business Development, 2001-2003), and sales at Samsung Electro-Mechanics (North American Digital Tuner Export, 1997-2001).
Advisors
Johan Auwerx, PhD/MD
Dr. Auwerx is Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL), Switzerland, where he heads the Laboratory of Integrative Systems Biology. Dr. Auwerx uses molecular physiology and systems genetics approaches to understand mitochondrial function and metabolism in health, aging, and disease. His research has spurred the development of new drugs for the treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, and neuromuscular diseases, including PPAR agonists, urolithin A, PARP inhibitors, and other NAD+ enhancers. Dr. Auwerx was elected as a member of EMBO in 2003 and was involved in multiple biotech companies including Mitobridge, Vandria, OrsoBio and Amazentis (now Time—line) since their inception.
Stuart Peltz PhD
Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., founded PTC Therapeutics and served as its CEO for 25 years, pioneering the field of RNA-directed drug development. Under his leadership, PTC evolved from a research-focused organization into a global biopharmaceutical company with expertise in neurological, neuromuscular, metabolic disorders, and cancer. A significant achievement during his tenure was the approval of six commercial products, including the first oral SMA drug, Evrysdi. In addition to the commercial products there were 2 late stage clinical products nearing registration.
Kylie O’Keefe
Kylie O'Keefe formerly served as the EVP, Chief Strategy Officer at PTC Therapeutics where she spearheaded the company’s global corporate strategy, R&D strategy, commercial strategy and operations, business development and investor relations. Prior to this, Kylie was the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of PTC Therapeutics, where she led the company's global commercial strategy and operations. Her leadership was instrumental in building the commercial infrastructure and successfully launching innovative therapies. Prior to her role at PTC, Ms. O'Keefe held significant positions at LEO Pharma, including Head of Global Business and Launch Planning, where she led the launch of a global portfolio across numerous countries. She also held commercial roles within LEO Pharma in Australia and Denmark. Earlier in her career, she was involved in Clinical Development at Peplin, a biotechnology company. This extensive global strategy, R&D and commercial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, highlights her expertise in bringing innovative treatments to patients worldwide.
Kyong-Tai Kim, PhD
Dr. Kim is an experienced brain disease researcher and has served as a board member of NovMetaPharma, since February 2016. Since March 2023, he has also been serving concurrently as a Distinguished Professor at Handong Global University. From August 2019 to July 2021, he led the Research Division at the POSCO Research Institute of Science and Technology. He was a professor and later head professor at the Department of Life Sciences at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) from July 1991 until February 2023. Between March 2010 and August 2002, he also served as a director of the Brain Research Center at POSTECH. Dr. Kim earned his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Massachusetts, completing his studies from September 1985 to February 1989.
Bong Youl Chung, PhD
Dr. Chung has served as a leading expert in pegylation technology at NovMetaPharma, since September 2019. Prior to this, he was a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry at Yonsei University from July 2007 to August 2019. From September 2011 to June 2017, he also served as a chief technology officer and president at Huons Co., Ltd. (HuMedix), where he successfully led the company to a KOSDAQ listing in 2014. Before that, he was CTO and President at Pheromone Co., Ltd. (PherAon) from May 2008 to August 2011. Earlier in his career, he held the position of vice president at Chemizon Co., Ltd. from September 2006 to November 2007, where he contributed to the company’s public listing. He also led R&D efforts as a head of technology research at SDC Co., Ltd. (July 2005 – August 2006), and as a director of the Central Research Center at UK Chemipharm (November 2003 – October 2004). From January 1996 to October 2003, he served as a director of the Animal Pharmaceutical Research Institute at LG Life Sciences. Mr. Chung earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maine in December 1995.