Royalty Pharma names Kenneth Sun as head of Asia operations

Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ: RPRX) appointed Kenneth Sun as Senior Vice President and Head of Asia, effective May 2026, according to a company statement. Sun will be based in Hong Kong and lead the company's royalty business across the region.

Sun joins from Morgan Stanley, where he served as Head of Asia Pacific Healthcare Investment Banking. At Morgan Stanley, he led the establishment of the bank's position in China and advised biotech, medtech, CRO, pharmaceutical and healthcare service companies on IPOs, M&A transactions and biotech licensing deals focused on Greater China.

The appointment comes as Asian biotechnology companies increase out-licensing activity. Chinese medicine out-licensing transactions totaled over $130 billion in announced value during 2025, compared to approximately $14 billion in 2021, the company stated.

"On‑the‑ground expertise and strong local relationships are essential in Asia, where we see an important long‑term opportunity to fund innovation through royalties and other creative structures," said Pablo Legorreta, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Royalty Pharma.

Sun brings over 18 years of investment banking experience, having previously worked at China Renaissance and BNP Paribas. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Queen's University, Canada.

Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma operates as a buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties. The company's portfolio includes royalties on more than 35 commercial products and 20 development-stage product candidates, according to the statement.

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