Djaballah Hakim

Djaballah Hakim

President, CEO & Founder of Keren Therapeutics Expert in Chemical Biology and Virology United States of America Former Director of Institut Pasteur Seoul Chairman of TPAC Committee since 2017

Origins & Education

Originally from Algeria, Dr. Hakim Djaballah perfectly embodies the international scientific success of the Algerian diaspora. His academic path of excellence begins in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and biotechnology with honors from the University of Birmingham, one of the most prestigious British institutions in the field of life sciences.

He pursued his doctoral training at the University of Leicester, also in the United Kingdom, where he obtained his doctorate in biochemistry. This in-depth training provided him with solid expertise in fundamental molecular mechanisms, an essential foundation for his future innovations in biomedical research.

Aware of the importance of diversified international training, he completed his curriculum with specialized training at several renowned institutions in the United States and South Korea, thus acquiring a global vision of scientific challenges and mastery of different biomedical research approaches practiced in major world centers.

Scientific Career

Dr. Djaballah began his professional career at the RW Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a research subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson based in La Jolla, California. This first experience in one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies allowed him to acquire valuable expertise in drug development and applied research.

Building on this initial experience, he then held positions of increasing responsibility in various pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, climbing the ranks and developing recognized expertise in chemical biology and drug discovery.

In 2003, he joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, one of the world's most renowned cancer research centers. As a professor-researcher and director of the high-throughput screening laboratory, he dedicated himself to exploring the biological mechanisms of cancer, developing innovative approaches to identify new therapeutic targets.

In 2014, he reached a major milestone by taking the directorship of Institut Pasteur Seoul in South Korea, while becoming a professor at Daejeon University of Science and Technology. This appointment testifies to his international recognition and his ability to lead premier research institutions.

In 2016, he materialized his entrepreneurial spirit by co-founding Keren Therapeutics, an innovative clinical-stage company specializing in developing therapies against age-related cognitive decline. This venture represents the culmination of decades of research and his commitment to transforming fundamental science into concrete therapeutic solutions.

Distinctions & Recognition

Dr. Djaballah enjoys exceptional scientific recognition, materialized by an impressive portfolio of more than 100 scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals. This prolific scientific production testifies to the quality and impact of his research in the global scientific community.

As an inventor of several patents, he contributes directly to technological innovation in the biomedical field. These patents testify to his ability to transform fundamental scientific discoveries into practical applications capable of improving human health.

His entrepreneurial spirit is manifested by the founding of four biotechnology companies, demonstrating his unique ability to identify market opportunities and create structures capable of valorizing scientific research.

In 2007, he received the prestigious "Robots and Vision User Recognition Award," recognition of his innovation in the use of robotic technologies and artificial vision applied to biomedical research, a field that was then emerging and now indispensable.

Impact & Influence

Thanks to his cutting-edge expertise in chemical biology and virology, Dr. Djaballah has established himself as an influential and respected figure in the strategic fields of cancer research and infectious diseases. His interdisciplinary approach allows him to address complex biomedical challenges from innovative angles.

Since 2017, he has chaired the TPAC (Therapeutics Product Advisory Committee), a strategic function that allows him to influence therapeutic orientations and contribute to the evaluation of innovative therapeutic products. This responsibility testifies to the confidence placed in him by his peers and regulatory institutions.

His commitment to translational research on a global scale is materialized through his international collaborations and active contribution to scientific advances that directly benefit patients. He embodies the model of the scientist-entrepreneur capable of bridging fundamental research and clinical applications.

Through Keren Therapeutics, he tackles one of the major challenges of population aging: age-related cognitive decline. This initiative could have considerable impact on the quality of life of millions of people worldwide.

His exemplary journey also inspires the new generation of Algerian and African scientists, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve international scientific excellence while maintaining ties to one's origins.

Learn More

• El Watan Article - Media coverage of his activities in Algeria
• ResearchGate Profile - Publications and scientific collaborations
• Semantic Scholar - Academic publications database
• ORCID - International researcher identifier
• Google Scholar - Citations and scientific impact
• LinkedIn - Professional profile and network
• Science.org - Contributions to Science journal
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Affiliated institution
• Keren Therapeutics - Founded company