Organic Chemist · Ph.D.

U Bin Kim

Principal Research Engineer at MFC · South Korea

Specialising in total synthesis of natural products, catalysis, process chemistry, medicinal chemistry and business development of CDMO. Based in Gwacheon, South Korea.

CV (KOR) Get in Touch
U Bin Kim in the laboratory Chemistry glassware in laboratory Scientific research being conducted

About

Education
Ph.D. University of Auckland (2009–2014)
Current Role
Principal Research Engineer at MFC
Location
Gwacheon, South Korea

Ubin is an organic chemist from New Zealand, currently developing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in South Korea. His professional expertise spans total synthesis, catalysis, process chemistry, and medicinal chemistry.

With experience in both academic and industrial settings, Ubin has led process and medicinal chemistry teams in the development of complex APIs, including Eribulin, Relugolix, and Lenvatinib, while also engaging in drug discovery programs for kinase inhibitors. Currently, Ubin oversees CMO/CDMO projects at MFC, ranging from process chemistry to early-stage drug discovery.

Research Areas

Total Synthesis
Multi-step synthesis of complex natural products including Chaetoquadrins and Halichondrin B fragments.
Catalysis
Synergistic dual transition metal catalysis; Rh/Pd catalysis, C(sp³)–H activation, and copper-catalyzed coupling reactions.
Process Chemistry
Scalable synthesis of complex APIs including Eribulin, Relugolix, Lenvatinib, and Tacalcitol for industrial application.
Medicinal Chemistry
Development of Kinase inhibitors and heteroaryl derivatives as active ingredients for cancer treatment.

News

2025.03.25New

Ubin and his family welcomed a baby boy! 🎉 See pictures →

2024.12.02

Ubin accepted a new role at MFC as Principal Research Engineer (수석연구원), overseeing CMO/CDMO projects.

2024.06.23

New paper: "Proprietary Synthesis of the C27−C35 Fragment of Eribulin." OPRD 2024. PDF →

Experience & Education

2024 – Present
Principal Research Engineer (수석연구원)
MFC (엠에프씨) · Gwacheon, South Korea
Overseeing CMO/CDMO projects from process chemistry to early-stage drug discovery.
Process ChemistryDrug Discovery
2020 – 2024
Senior Researcher / Project & Team Leader
YS Life Science (Yonsung Fine Chemicals) · Suwon, South Korea
Led synthesis teams on complex API development including Eribulin and Relugolix.
EribulinRelugolixAPIs
2019 – 2020
Senior Researcher / Project & Team Leader
VoronoiBio · Songdo, Incheon, South Korea
Led medicinal chemistry team on Kinase inhibitor development.
Kinase InhibitorsMed. Chemistry
2015 – 2018
Postdoctoral Associate
Ewha W. University · Seoul, South Korea
Advisor: Prof. Sang-gi Lee. Dual transition metal catalysis research.
CatalysisPostdoc
2009 – 2014
Ph.D. in Chemistry
University of Auckland · New Zealand
Advisor: Prof. Margaret A. Brimble. Total synthesis of Chaetoquadrins. Thesis →
Total SynthesisNatural Products
2008
BSc (Honours) 1st Class
University of Auckland · New Zealand
Advisor: Prof. Margaret A. Brimble. Thesis →
Download Korean CV ↓

Publications & Patents

Industry – Process & Medicinal Chemistry ▼
TOC
Patent · Process Chemistry
Method for preparing relugolix.
Kim, U. B.; Saidhareddy, P.; Yu, H.; et al.
WO2025127790A1. Filed December 10, 2024.
[Google Patents] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Process Chemistry
Proprietary Synthesis of the C27–C35 Fragment of Eribulin and its Elaboration Towards the C14–C35 Sub-unit.
Kim, U B.; Samala, S.; Jung, J.; Song, J.; Lee, K-Y.; Oh, C-Y.; Shin, H.
Org. Process Res. Dev., 2024, 28, 2832–2843.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Process Chemistry
Scalable synthesis of the C14–C23 fragment of Eribulin and Halichondrin B.
Kim, U B.¹; Samala, S.¹; et al. (¹ Equal contribution)
Bull. Korean. Chem. Soc., 2022, 43, 1367.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Process Chemistry
Synthesis of the C1–C13 Fragment of Eribulin on a Kilogram Scale.
Kim, S. T.; Park, Y.; Kim, N.; …; Kim, U B.; Lee, K-Y.; Shin, H.
Org. Process. Res. Dev., 2022, 26, 123.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Process Chemistry
Process Development of Tacalcitol.
Lee, S. J.; Moon, H. W.; Lee, K-Y.; Oh, C. Y.; Kim, U B.; Shin, H.
Org. Process. Res. Dev., 2021, 25, 982.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Patent · Medicinal Chemistry
Heteroaryl derivatives and pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing cancer.
Kim, U B.; Lee, Y. H.; Kang, S-i; et al.
PCT/KR2020/003558. Filed March 13, 2020.
[WIPO] [PDF]
Post-Doctoral – Catalysis (Ewha W. University) ▼
TOC
Review · Catalysis
Synergistic Dual Transition Metal Catalysis.
Kim, U B.; Jung, D. J.; Jeon, H. J.; Rathwell, K.; Lee, S.-g.
Chem. Rev., 2020, 120, 13382–13433.
[DOI] [PDF]
Book Chapter · Catalysis
Rhodium/Palladium Dual Catalysis.
Kim, U B.; Lee, S.-g.
Science of Synthesis, 2019, 1, 57.
[DOI]
TOC
Journal Article · Catalysis
Palladium-Catalyzed Divergent Cyclopropanation by Regioselective Solvent-Driven C(sp³)–H Bond Activation.
Chung, D. S.; Lee, J. S.; …; Kim, U B.; Baik, M.-H.*; Lee, S.-g.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2018, 57, 15460–15464.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Catalysis
Rh(II)/Mg(OtBu)₂-Catalyzed Tandem One-Pot Synthesis of 1,4-Oxazepines and 1,4-Oxazines.
Ko, Y. O.; Jeon, H. J.; Jung, D. J.; Kim, U B.; Lee, S.-g.
Org. Lett., 2016, 18, 6432–6435.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Methodology
Synthesis of ketones via organolithium addition to acid chloride using continuous flow chemistry.
Moon, S-Y.; Jung, S-H.; Kim, U B.; Kim, W-S.
RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 79385–79390.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Methodology
A Synthetic Approach to N-Aryl Carbamates via Copper-Catalyzed Chan–Lam Coupling at Room Temperature.
Moon, S-Y.¹; Kim, U B.¹; Sung, D.-B.; Kim, W-S. (¹ Equal contribution)
J. Org. Chem., 2015, 80(3), 1856–1865.
[DOI] [PDF]
Graduate School – Total Synthesis (University of Auckland) ▼
TOC
Journal Article · Total Synthesis
Total Synthesis of Chaetoquadrins H and I.
Kim, U B.; Dalebrook, A. F.; Furkert, D. P.; Brimble, M. A.
Synlett., 2013, 24(6), 723–726.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Total Synthesis
Total synthesis of Chaetoquadrins A–C.
Kim, U B.; Furkert, D. P.; Brimble, M. A.
Org. Lett., 2013, 15, 658–661.
[DOI] [PDF]
TOC
Journal Article · Total Synthesis
Synthesis of (±) Wine Lactone and Its Analogues by a Diels–Alder Approach.
O'Connor, P. D.; Kim, U B.; Brimble, M. A.
Eur. J. Org. Chem., 2009, 4405–4411.
[DOI] [PDF]

Resources

A collection of useful references gathered over the years. Suggestions welcome — email Ubin!

NMR
Protecting Groups
Meta / General
Chemistry Blogs
Miscellaneous
Journal Reading List
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
"Wir suchen uns Wege, die keiner sonst fand." — "We search for our way, that no others have found." An apt description of science and total synthesis.
Collaboration Inquiry?

Research collaborations, publication inquiries, or general correspondence welcome.

Get in Touch

Connect

Let's Talk

Feel free to reach out for research collaborations, process chemistry consulting, or general inquiries. I am always open to discussing new opportunities and chemical challenges.

Gwacheon, South Korea
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