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About the company

VSPharm Tech develops anti-cancer drugs and anti-cancer supplements for cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment including radio sensitizers, drugs enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatments, and anti-metastatic drugs. The company has completed the investigational new drug (IND) application of its radio sensitizer in South Korea. VSPharm Tech’s research is based on the technology transfer of related patents from the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and it has registered patents at home and completed the application process in six nations including the United States, Europe, China, Japan, Australia, and Canada.

Background

Cancer is generally treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other methods, and cancer patients receive various treatments based on diagnosis and stage. However, the problem is that therapies, when provided separately, either reduce the efficacy or cause adverse effects. The recent early discovery of cancer through medical examinations and the development of new treatment methods are improving the survival rate of cancer patients. With the increase of cancer survivors, treatments are now focused on improving the quality of life (QOL) as well as curing diseases and extending the survival time. In line with recent development, VSPharm Tech is dedicated to developing anti-cancer drugs and anti-cancer supplements that enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and reduce adverse effects.

About the product and/or technology

VSPharm Tech is mainly focused on developing three types of drugs. First, a radio sensitizer is a drug that reduces the adverse effects of radiotherapy and enhances the efficacy of treatment. By studying and developing the sensitization effect of candidate substance, an FDA-approved drug, in cancer treatment, VSPharm Tech is developing the VS-101, which enhances the efficacy of cancer therapy when used in parallel with radioactive rays.

Second is an anti-metastatic drug that suppresses the spread of cancer after surgical treatment. Anti-metastatic technology is a first-in-class new drug candidate that involves new chemicals that inhibits the migration and invasion of cancer cells. VSPharm Tech discovered the FDA-approved substance as a anti-metastatic drug for the first time and developed a new candidate substance through prior study. Because the anti-metastatic technology uses the ARPC2 protein which regulates the migration of cancer cells as the target, it is differentiated from other inhibitors focused on oncogenes or anti-angiogenic effects. The drug is also expected to induce remarkably less resistance caused by genetic mutation occurring frequently in cancer patients.

Third drug enhances cancer treatment by improving the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs and suppressing resistance to anti-cancer drugs. In its effort to study and develop a drug that enhances the efficacy of cancer treatment, VSPharm Tech based on an FDA-approved drug is conducting prior research into suppressing the growth and differentiation of cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Developed as an adjuvant to chemotherapy drugs, the drug is designed to enhance the sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs when administered collectively.

Competitive edge and business strategy

All of VSPharm Tech’s key researchers have specialized in pharmaceutical and/or bio for more than ten years. In September 2019, NICE Information Service rated VSPharm Tech’s main development team as “Excellent” in its technology credit report. VSPharm Tech has established a systematic business strategy by collaborating with and inviting advisors from the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, the Korea University College of Medicine, the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Dankook University Hospital, DGMIF, and KCRN. VSPharm Tech completed the application to the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for phase 1 clinical trial that targets head and neck cancer patients. It is preparing to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a clinical trial with the same category of patients and plans to complete the application process in the US by the end of this year. VSPharm Tech’s radio sensitizer received the FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation in February 2021, and Merck acquired the radio sensitizer technology through a technology transfer worth one million US dollars. Because VSPharm Tech’s radio sensitizer employs the same mechanism as that of Debiopharm, VSPharm Tech plans to accelerate development and enhance the potentials for technology transfer development under FDA’s Expedite Program.

Future plans

In the early stage, VSPharm Tech plans to build the infrastructure needed for developing radio sensitizers by focusing on clinical research with Korea University Medical Center, Dankook University Hospital and others. The next goal is to gradually expand the pipeline and upgrade the anti-cancer drug development to ultimately launch clinical trials at home and abroad and seek tech IPO by licensing out technologies.