Arpelos Biosciences wins LabCentral sponsorship in CKD open innovation push
Korean drugmaker taps Kendall Square to source early-stage biotech partners
From right, Chong Kun Dang executive vice president Jae-soon Kim, Dr. Debra Peattie, Arpelos Biosciences chief technology officer Luciano Santollani, Chong Kun Dang research planning head Sun-hong Kim and CKD USA head Ho-won Kim pose for a photo during the 2026 “CKD Pharm Golden Ticket” event in Boston on May 20.
Chong Kun Dang Pharm (CKD Pharm) awarded its 2026 “CKD Pharm Golden Ticket” to Arpelos Biosciences at LabCentral in Boston, providing the early-stage biotech with sponsored lab space and access to the Kendall Square incubator. The company said the program is a key channel for sourcing new collaboration partners in immunology and other advanced therapies.
The Golden Ticket is a sponsorship initiative run with LabCentral, a nonprofit incubator supporting early-stage biotech firms in the Cambridge–Boston cluster. Winners gain access to shared research facilities and support building networks with global pharmaceutical companies and startups, as CKD Pharm expands its open innovation efforts beyond Korea.
Arpelos, founded in 2024 and based in Kendall Square, focuses on AI-driven protein engineering, T-cell biology, and multivalent therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This year’s competition attracted about 50 applicants across immunology, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, and AI research platforms. Three Boston-based startups were shortlisted to present to an external panel.
The judging panel included Harvard professors Jinmo Park and Youngbum Kim, as well as biotech industry veteran Debra Peattie. CKD Pharm said candidates were assessed on scientific strength, development plans, and potential for collaboration, while the event also brought together CKD USA, the Korean Consulate General, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute’s U.S. office.
CKD Pharm plans to use CKD USA as a base for co-development and other partnerships with global biotech players. LabCentral has supported more than 340 early-stage biotech companies and helped them raise over $21.85 billion, contributing to hundreds of patents and clinical trials, according to CKD Pharm. The company said aligning with that network will help it connect Boston’s startup pipeline directly to its R&D portfolio.
By Min Byung-kwun, KDFN
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