Calico Life Sciences Welcomes Philip R. Kym as New Drug Discovery Head

Calico Life Sciences Welcomes Philip R. Kym, Ph.D. as Head of Drug Discovery

Calico Life Sciences LLC, the prominent biotechnology company founded by Alphabet Inc., is taking a significant step forward with the appointment of Philip R. Kym, Ph.D., as their new Head of Drug Discovery. This announcement was made on October 16, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey to innovate around aging and age-related health issues.

In his new role, Dr. Kym will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction, scientific execution, and operational management of Calico's various drug discovery initiatives. His expertise is expected to enhance Calico’s development programs from the identification and validation of targets to lead optimization and the selection of candidates.

Prior to joining Calico, Dr. Kym had an impressive tenure at AbbVie, where he occupied the position of Vice President of Global Medicinal Chemistry until his retirement in September 2025. His extensive career of nearly three decades in the biopharmaceutical sector uniquely positions him to lead Calico's ambitious pharmaceutical objectives. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in achieving the discovery of over 25 clinical development candidates, covering a diverse array of therapeutic fields such as antiviral, oncology, immunology, neuroscience, anti-aging, pain management, and metabolic diseases.

Dr. Kym's previous collaborations with Calico included his participation as a member of the Joint Steering Committee for the Calico-AbbVie Collaboration, showcasing his longstanding connection to the company. His familiarity with Calico and its mission will facilitate a smooth transition into his new role, where he aims to infuse his deep understanding of medicinal chemistry into the organization's drug discovery processes.

Dr. Arthur D. Levinson, the CEO of Calico, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Kym's appointment, emphasizing his reputation as a respected colleague. Levinson highlighted Dr. Kym's rich experience and ability to forge synergistic discovery organizations and partnerships. As Calico endeavors to expand its portfolio and strengthen collaborations toward developing new therapeutics that combat aging and related ailments, Dr. Kym’s leadership is anticipated to play a critical role.

During his time at AbbVie, Dr. Kym commanded a large global medicinal chemistry regiment, setting strategic objectives aimed at building a robust pipeline of novel therapeutics, inclusive of small molecules, protein degraders, and antibody-drug conjugates. He was also instrumental in advancing the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies within medicinal chemistry design, reflecting a modern approach to pharmaceutical development.

Dr. Kym’s academic background is equally impressive; he holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the American Cancer Society at the University of Texas at Austin. His professional contributions have extended beyond development roles to include leadership positions within various organizations, such as the American Chemical Society and the Gordon Research Conference on Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds.

Excited about his new venture, Dr. Kym stated, “Joining Calico at this important phase of the company’s development is exhilarating. The organization’s remarkable track record in innovative biological studies, combined with its unique translational drug discovery capabilities, offers an unparalleled opportunity to continue advancing essential therapeutic programs and explore new areas of interest.”

Calico Life Sciences is committed to leveraging advanced technologies and research methodologies to deepen understanding of human aging, aiming to create interventions that foster longer and healthier lives. As the mission of understanding and combating aging continues, Dr. Kym’s leadership is expected to be vital in steering the company towards achieving groundbreaking advancements in human healthspan.

For more about Calico Life Sciences and their groundbreaking work, visit Calico's official site and follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.