BRIM’s new Board of Directors elects Andrew Lin as the new Chairman of the Board and appoints Dr. Wen-Chyi Shyu as the new CEO
Taipei, Taiwan, February 20th, 2023 / BRIM Biotechnology, Inc. (BRIM, TPEx 6885), a clinical-stage company developing novel regenerative therapies to help combat and cure ophthalmology and degenerative joint diseases, is pleased to announce that Andrew Lin was elected as the new Chairman of the Board on 8th February, 2023, and that the new board has appointed Dr. Wen-Chyi Shyu as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 1st March, 2023. The new leadership team will guide BRIM through what is set to be a transformational year for the company.
BRIM held an investor conference today to announce the news, as well as to provide an update on the progress of BRM421, the company’s lead asset which has recently entered a US Phase 3 study for dry eye disease (DED), and BRM424, an orphan disease designation (ODD) asset that will enter a US Phase 2 study for neurotrophic keratitis later this year.
BRIM successfully listed on the Taipei Exchange in June last year, and recently completed series E funding, raising $18 million to accelerate the development of its lead asset, BRM421 for DED. Since its establishment in 2013, BRIM has successfully developed a diverse pipeline of novel drug products, all underpinned by the company’s proprietary stem cell regenerative peptide technology (PDSP).
Andrew Lin elected as the new Chairman of the Board
BRIM’s new Chairman, Andrew Lin, is an internationally renowned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in finance, technology, and biotechnology companies. He is the Chairman of TaiRx, Inc., a Taiwanese drug developer focusing on oncology treatments, and serves as an Independent Board Director for Fubon Insurance. His previous positions include Chairman of Lotus Pharmaceutical, the largest generic drug company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, and Chief Executive Officer of Hasumi Biotechnology International, a global leader in cancer vaccines and immunotherapy. Mr. Lin founded Affinity Capital Fund One, along with Sophia Cheng, the current Chief Investment Officer of Cathay Financial Holdings.
Mr. Lin commented, “I am honored to take on the role as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at BRIM, a company that has already fast-tracked to become a clinical-stage company in less than 10 years, delivering promising clinical data for BRM421. I look forward to working closely with the team and driving forward the strategy to deliver innovation and continued business success.”
Dr. Wen-Chyi Shyu appointed as the new CEO
Dr. Shyu will return to Taiwan to lead BRIM through a significant period of international expansion in her role as the new CEO. With extensive corporate management experience at a global scale, she brings a fresh international perspective and a strong pharmaceutical network that will be invaluable to BRIM as the company enters a new period of growth.
Dr. Shyu has served on the scientific advisory board of BRIM since its inception and has more than 30 years of experience in life sciences, bringing a unique combination of technical and commercial knowledge. She has served in a range of global leadership roles for some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Her capabilities span the entire drug discovery process, from research and development to pre-clinical and clinical drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug development, and life cycle management. She was responsible for over 15 market approvals of new drugs and over 100 IND applications.
Dr. Haishan Jang, the former Chairman and CEO of BRIM, commented, “Dr. Shyu has the international experience and expertise to lead BRIM as it continues to advance late-stage development of our first regenerative peptide therapy for DED, which we are confident will be available for people living with this debilitating chronic condition, in the next 5 years. The new appointments are part of a rigorous and strategic process to bolster BRIM’s growth strategy as the company prepares to expand internationally while continuing to achieve sustainable growth.”
Dr. Shyu commented, “Regenerative peptides are an innovative and exciting class of therapies with the potential to deliver disease-modifying treatments that can transform patients’ lives. BRIM has already been highly successful in developing its lead drug candidates and I look forward to working with our dedicated and experienced leadership team to fulfil our mission to bring sustainable and affordable healthcare innovation to the world.”
BRIM strengthens its Board and leadership team with several new appointments
Dr. Jang will continue to support the growth of the company in her new role as Chief Global Strategist (CGS), with a focus on accelerating BRIM’s overseas development and international expansion. Dr. Frank W. Lee will continue in the role of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), leading the company’s RD projects forward and scouting new pipeline leads. The former COO of BRIM, Ms. Mei-Hui Kuo will return to BRIM as COO once again. With over 30 years of operation experience, her expertise will be crucial to helping BRIM navigate a smooth transition into its new phase of growth.
In addition to new Chairman Andrew Lin, BRIM’s new Board members include Haishan Jang, Audrey Tseng, Affinity Capital Fund One, Isaiah Capital LLC., and CIDC Consultants INC. The Independent Directors are Johnsee Lee, Howard Guo and James S. J. Cheng. The new Directors and Independent Directors have a term of office of three years.
With expertise across both translational science and business, the new leadership team will guide BRIM through a significant new period of growth and development as it continues to expedite its rapidly expanding pipeline.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
BRIM Biotechnology, Inc.
Yi-Chun Maria Chen, PhD
[t] 886 2 2659 8586 #110
[e] yichun.chen@brimbiotech.com
Sciad Communications Ltd
Maria Patey / Sophie Protheroe
[t] 020 3405 7892
[e] BrimBiotech@sciad.com
Notes to Editors
About BRIM Biotechnology, Inc.
BRIM Biotechnology, Inc. was established in July 2013 to accelerate the development and transformation of early research technology platforms to clinical drug candidates.
BRIM applies efficient translational science to develop new treatments that help combat and cure disease. The company’s virtual business model combined with its proprietary PDSP technology platform, bridges the gap between research and clinical development faster, de-risks the process, and accelerates the progression of early-stage candidates in indications with high unmet medical needs. BRIM has three lead products in the pipeline: BRM421, BRM424, and BRM521, all of which are developed from its PDSP technology platform. Lead asset BRM421 for Dry Eye Disease is in Phase 3 clinical trials since 2022 and is expected to have topline results at the end of 2023. For more information, please visit www.brimbiotech.com.
