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. 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. In that role, he led the establishment of the bank's position in China and advised biotech, medtech, pharmaceutical and healthcare service companies on transactions including IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing deals.

The appointment comes as Asian biotechnology companies increase their out-licensing activity. Out-licensing of Chinese medicines comprised over $130 billion of announced transaction value in 2025, up from approximately $14 billion in 2021, according to the company.

Sun brings more than 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 in Canada.

"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.

Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma describes itself as the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties. The company's portfolio includes royalties on more than 35 commercial products and 20 development-stage product candidates. These include treatments from companies such as Vertex, GSK, Biogen, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson.

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