#USA #San Diego #Chief Medical Officer #Protego Biopharma #Jae B. Kim

Protego Biopharma Welcomes Dr. Jae B. Kim as Chief Medical Officer

On June 8, 2026, Protego Biopharma, Inc., a leading biotechnology firm based in San Diego, announced the strategic appointment of Dr. Jae B. Kim, MD, as their new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Known for its dedication to combating protein misfolding diseases through targeted small-molecule drugs, Protego is poised for significant advancements in its clinical journey with Dr. Kim at the helm of its medical operations.

Dr. Kim joins Protego after a successful tenure as CMO at Septerna, where he honed his expertise in the biotechnology landscape. His career prior to that includes impactful roles such as CMO at Design Therapeutics, where he led the clinical progression of small molecule genomic therapeutics. With a structured trajectory through high-stakes development roles at renowned companies like Avidity Biosciences, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, MyoKardia, and Amgen, Dr. Kim brings an impressive array of experiences to his new role—particularly concerning the development and approval of drugs aimed at cardiovascular and rare diseases.

His contributions to drug development have been pivotal, marking the successful launches of numerous treatments including Givlaari (givosiran), Amvuttra (vutrisiran), Leqvio (inclisiran), Camzyos (mavacamten), Corlanor (ivabradine), and Repatha (evolcumab). These endeavors underscore his capacity to effect meaningful change in the therapeutic landscape.

Brent J. Warner, the CEO of Protego, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Kim's addition to the team, stating, "Dr. Kim is an accomplished healthcare executive who brings to Protego a wealth of experience in advancing novel therapies across multiple therapeutic areas in addition to cardiovascular diseases. He joins us at an opportune time to help advance our lead program, PROT-001, a small molecule pharmacological chaperone aimed at treating light chain amyloidosis, into pivotal studies this year."

Dr. Kim’s academic credentials align seamlessly with his professional journey. A board-certified cardiologist, he has served on the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, alongside his role at the prestigious Brigham and Women's Hospital. His educational background is robust, with a BA in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and an MD from Cornell University Medical College. Additionally, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in genetics at Harvard Medical School, followed by clinical training specializing in cardiovascular disease at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

In his own words about joining the Protego team, Dr. Kim stated, "I am pleased to join the Protego team and lead the global registration program that will pursue accelerated and full approval for PROT-001 in light chain amyloidosis, potentially changing the standard of care by addressing the root cause of this disease." His enthusiasm for guiding innovative therapies through late-stage development is indicative of his commitment to tackling rare diseases that present significant medical challenges.

About Protego Biopharma

Protego Biopharma stands at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation, dedicated to developing small-molecule drugs targeting protein misfolding diseases. The company’s mission revolves around reprogramming cellular processes to restore proper protein function, aiming to bring precision medicine to the treatment of rare systemic diseases. For further information regarding their initiatives and advancements, interested parties can visit www.protegobio.com.