SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 26, 2025--
As part of its mission to drive innovation in Medical Affairs automation, BP Logix is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kirk Shepard to the company's Life Sciences Strategic Advisory Board.
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Dr. Shepard is a globally recognized expert in Medical Affairs who brings more than 30 years of deep operational knowledge and thought leadership to the Advisory Board.
He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at PDS Biotech. His prior roles include Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical Affairs Oncology at Eisai, as well as senior leadership positions at Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim, Baxter, and Baxalta.
He is also a co-founder and former President of the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS), which boasts more than 15,000 members. His upcoming book, Voices of Oncology (Forbes Books, September 2025), captures insights from global cancer care leaders and reflects his deep commitment to cross-functional collaboration and patient-centered innovation. Together, these efforts to elevate the Medical Affairs profession highlight the depth of expertise Dr. Shepard brings to the BP Logix Advisory Board.
"Dr. Shepard has spent his career building world-class Medical Affairs functions that bridge science, strategy, and patient impact," said Girish Pashilkar, CEO of BP Logix. "His voice will be invaluable as we continue designing solutions that meet the evolving needs of Medical Affairs teams in complex, high-stakes environments."
Dr. Shepard joins current Advisory Board members Dr. Jethro Ekuta and Dr. Rob Kaper, continuing BP Logix’s commitment to working directly with industry leaders to shape the future of automation in Medical Affairs.
"The role of Medical Affairs has expanded dramatically. It now requires cross-functional alignment, real-time insights, and digital agility to succeed," said Dr. Shepard. "BP Logix understands that complexity. Their technology is built for how Medical Affairs teams actually operate: across silos, under scrutiny, and always with science at the center. I’m honored to contribute to their mission."
As Strategic Advisors, Dr. Shepard and his fellow board members will help guide BP Logix’s product strategy, industry partnerships, and customer engagement in the life sciences sector.
"This board isn’t ceremonial. It’s hands-on, practical, and grounded in lived experience," added Pashilkar. "We’re grateful to have Dr. Shepard join us in that effort."
To learn more about BP Logix and its solutions for mission-critical processes in Medical Affairs, visit www.bplogix.com.
"The role of Medical Affairs has expanded dramatically," Dr. Kirk Shepard said. "It now requires cross-functional alignment, real-time insights, and digital agility to succeed. BP Logix understands that complexity."
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison Friday in the first verdict from eight criminal trials over the martial law debacle that forced him out of office and other allegations.
Yoon was impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024 triggered huge public protests calling for his ouster.
The most significant criminal charge against him alleges that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the independent counsel has requested the death sentence in the case that is to be decided in a ruling next month.
In Friday's case, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon for defying attempts to detain him, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting.
Yoon has maintained he didn’t intend to place the country under military rule for an extended period, saying his decree was only meant to inform the people about the danger of the liberal-controlled parliament obstructing his agenda. But investigators have viewed Yoon’s decree as an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, charging him with rebellion, abuse of power and other criminal offenses.
Judge Baek Dae-hyun said in the televised ruling that imposing “a grave punishment” was necessary because Yoon hasn’t shown remorse and has only repeated “hard-to-comprehend excuses.” The judge also restoring legal systems damaged by Yoon’s action was necessary.
Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, hasn’t immediately publicly responded to the ruling. But when the independent counsel demanded a 10-year prison term in the case, Yoon’s defense team accused them of being politically driven and lacking legal grounds to demand such “an excessive” sentence.
Prison sentences in the multiple, smaller trials Yoon faces would matter if he is spared the death penalty or life imprisonment at the rebellion trial.
Park SungBae, a lawyer who specializes in criminal law, said there is little chance the court would decide Yoon should face the death penalty in the rebellion case. He said the court will likely issue a life sentence or a sentence of 30 years or more in prison.
South Korea has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1997 and courts rarely hand down death sentences. Park said the court would take into account that Yoon’s decree didn’t cause casualties and didn’t last long, although Yoon hasn’t shown genuine remorse for his action.
A supporter of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shouts slogans outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs and flags outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A supporter of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waits for a bus carrying former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs as police officers stand guard outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs and flags outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A picture of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is placed on a board as supporters gather outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
