Founding Chairman
Founding Vision
Even the smallest efforts must take root here, for a future we may never see.
We present MOGAM’s founding chairman, whose belief in serving the greater good laid the foundation for research that advances society.
“Even the smallest efforts must take root here, for a future we may never see.”
Guided by this conviction, Chairman Young-sup Huh committed himself to developing medicines that directly improve public health and played a defining role in advancing Korea’s ability to produce essential therapeutics.
While studying in Germany in the 1960s, he was deeply moved by the stark contrast between the advanced healthcare systems abroad and the dire medical environment back home. His visionary leadership led to the successful development of crucial therapeutics, most notably the Hepatitis B vaccine, fundamentally transforming the public health landscape of Korea.
For Chairman Huh, true success was inseparable from social responsibility. With the resources generated from his pioneering therapeutics, he established the MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, Korea’s first privately funded, non-profit biomedical research foundation. When conventional wisdom dictated that scientific investments would yield better returns abroad, he boldly chose a different path. He founded MOGAM with a clear vision: to ensure that the nation’s top scientific talents had a premier home to innovate, discover, and lead the future of medicine.
Founding Chairman
His pen name, Mogam, means "to make the world more abundant."
As a successful CEO and an alumnus of RWTH Aachen University in Germany, often regarded as the “MIT of Europe”, Chairman Huh not only pioneered the Korean biotechnology industry, but also served as a vital bridge between nations. In recognition of his tireless efforts in civilian diplomacy and collaboration between Korea and Germany, he received the prestigious title of Ehrensenator (Honorary Senator) from the university, becoming its first foreign recipient.
His dedication extended far beyond the laboratory. He was deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of scientific minds. In 2007, upon learning that students at his alma mater, RWTH Aachen University, lacked adequate space for study and research, he made a personal donation of 1 million euros. This led to the establishment of the “MOGAM Haus”, creating a unique environment where young scholars could freely pursue their academic passions.
Chairman Huh’s devotion to society defined not only his life, but his legacy. Upon his passing in 2009, he bequeathed two-thirds of his personal shares and estate to scholarship and research foundations. It was his ultimate act of giving back, a final and quiet testament that true leadership means investing in the future of others.
Throughout his life, he poured his energy into creating a sustainable biopharmaceutical ecosystem for the public good. As a leader, he always lived by the principle that true business success is measured by social responsibility and impact.
Today, the foundation he built reaches far beyond its origins. His legacy continues to guide MOGAM’s mission, fueling the scientific breakthroughs that will touch lives across the globe.