Meet the Speaker
We’re excited to feature Hyunho Lee, Chief Technology Officer and Head of R&D at VSPharmTech, as a distinguished speaker at the 9th DDR Inhibitors Summit 2026 in Boston. With decades of experience spanning basic research, clinical development, regulatory science, and commercialization, Hyunho has played a pivotal role in advancing innovative cancer therapies from concept to clinic. At the Summit, he’ll share insights from his work on VSPharmTech’s novel apoptosis-enhancing therapeutic strategies — including their synergistic potential with radiotherapy and chemotherapy — and discuss how open collaboration and translational innovation can help overcome key challenges in the DNA damage response landscape.
Could you give a brief introduction to yourself, your role, and your experience in the industry?
Over the past 20 years, I have been responsible for various aspects of Korea's CGT field, including basic research, process development for commercialization, clinical trials, regulatory science, product registration, and national health insurance. I have also had the honor of obtaining regulatory approval for four products from Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea. Additionally, I have been actively involved in the commercialization of public technologies developed by research institutions, striving to bridge the gap between innovation and industry.
Currently, I serve as the CTO of VS Pharmtech Co., Ltd. We are developing an Apoptosis Enhancer for cancer treatment based on an early-stage technology developed at the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences. While this drug does not exhibit anticancer effects on its own, it produces a synergistic effect when combined with radiotherapy or cytotoxic anticancer drugs. At present, Phase II clinical trials are underway for its application in head and neck cancers at institutions such as NYU Langone, Yale Cancer Center, and the Cancer Center of Kansas.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges the industry is facing at the moment, and how can we look to overcome these?
I believe that having an open mind is one of the most important aspects of life. I often compare the process of drug development to an orchestra. Just as a single instrument may perform a solo and then join with others under the guidance of a conductor to create a beautiful harmony, the development of new drugs similarly requires the specialized expertise of various professionals.
However, fortunately, there are many individuals around us who come from diverse backgrounds and possess a wealth of knowledge. Our perspectives may sometimes align and at other times differ. I believe it is crucial to keep an open mind and make a concerted effort to listen to and engage in dialogue with researchers from various disciplines.
What do you think is the most exciting opportunity in this field right now?
I believe that one of the key initiatives is the utilization of generative AI. When I discussed industry challenges and ways to overcome them, I emphasized the importance of open-mindedness, active listening, and effective communication- qualities that are indispensable across all fields of research. For example, artificial intelligence is transforming many aspects of our work and taking biological research to a whole new level. Furthermore, a wealth of ideas is emerging that can be applied to areas such as DDRi compounds themselves, their interactions with drugs that operate through various mechanisms, and the design of new drugs for more effective outcomes. As a result, emerging researchers and venture companies now have the opportunity to explore innovative approaches to research from a fresh perspective. Just like wo do at VS Pharmtech.
Why do you feel it is important for everyone to come together at the DDR Inhibitors Summit this year?
I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate answer. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we've become quite accustomed to communicating via video meeting. I've had many video conferences over the past seven years at my company, and while they work well for sharing basic information, they seem somewhat limited when it comes to building relationships. I'm sure many of you have experienced the same thing. Personally, I still value the "analog" aspects of interpersonal communication. Besides, if we only get together once a year, wouldn't it be delightful to simply meet and greet in person?
What are you most looking forward to about joining us as a speaker?
This is my first time ever participating as a speaker at an academic conference. Actually, I have primarily worked as a developer in Korea, so I don’t have much experience as a researcher. I wanted to share the new findings from this year’s research and the story of VS Pharmtech’s development over the past seven years with interested researchers. While VS Pharmtech is a relatively unknown company, it’s one that’s steadfastly pursuing its dreams.
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