Royalty Pharma Appoints Kenneth Sun as Senior VP and Head of Asia

Expansion of Royalty Pharma's global platform to capitalize on growing biotech innovation in Asia

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Royalty Pharma plc announced the appointment of 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 in Asia. He joins Royalty Pharma from Morgan Stanley, where he was Head of Asia Pacific Healthcare Investment Banking.

Why it matters

Asia-based biotechnology companies have become prolific creators of innovative therapeutics, with the out-licensing of Chinese medicines alone comprising over $130 billion of announced transaction value in 2025, up from $14 billion in 2021. This momentum is expected to continue, as modalities, therapeutic areas and deal structures out of Asia become increasingly innovative. Royalty Pharma sees a significant long-term opportunity to fund this innovation through royalties and other creative structures.

The details

In his new role, Kenneth Sun will be instrumental in building and growing the royalty market in greater Asia, just as Royalty Pharma played a foundational role in establishing the biopharma royalty market in the West. Sun brings more than 18 years of investment banking experience, having previously worked at Morgan Stanley, China Renaissance and BNP Paribas.

  • Kenneth Sun's appointment will be effective in May 2026.

The players

Royalty Pharma

A leading funder of innovation across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals, non-profits, and biotechnology companies.

Kenneth Sun

The newly appointed Senior Vice President and Head of Asia at Royalty Pharma, who previously served as Head of Asia Pacific Healthcare Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley.

Pablo Legorreta

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Royalty Pharma.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to welcome Ken, who has a deep and strategic understanding of the funding needs created by the incredible innovation occurring across Asia. 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. Ken will be instrumental as we continue to expand our global platform.”

— Pablo Legorreta, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Royalty Pharma (Royalty Pharma)

“I am incredibly thrilled to join Royalty Pharma, the pioneer and undisputed leader of the royalty market. Royalty creation in Asia has grown rapidly and represents a potentially important new source of flexible, non-dilutive capital at significant scale to innovative biotech companies. I could not be more excited to help build and grow the royalty market at a time when biopharma innovation in the region is rapidly advancing.”

— Kenneth Sun, Senior Vice President and Head of Asia, Royalty Pharma (Royalty Pharma)

The takeaway

Royalty Pharma's appointment of Kenneth Sun as Head of Asia signals the company's strategic focus on capitalizing on the rapid growth of biotech innovation in the region, which has the potential to become a significant new source of flexible, non-dilutive capital for innovative companies.