VSPharmTech
Unlocking Novel Cancer Therapies

VSPharmTech is at the forefront of developing anti-cancer drugs with a commitment to prioritizing patient outcomes and value over mere technological innovation. Founded in 2018, it focuses on creating patient-centric treatments that address the limitations of traditional cancer therapies with a development strategy rooted in practicality and speed. It is guided by the credo of leading the paradigm shift by discovering the better to offer less burdensome alternatives to existing therapies to a broad cancer patient population.

Its endeavor to develop novel radiosensitizers—drugs that make cancer cells more susceptible to radiation—have led to the creation of VS-101, which has received two investigational new drug (IND) approvals for head and neck cancer, and breast cancer from the U.S. FDA in July 2023 and July 2024. As the next step, VSPharmTech is preparing an IND application for glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most challenging cancers to treat.

“VS-101 is a multifunctional radiosensitizer that makes radiotherapy more effective by inhibiting certain proteins (called Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins or IAP), which prevent cancer cells from destroying by anticancer treatments. It also boosts generations of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can be simply thought of as a group of molecules harmful to organelles because they oxidize proteins, lipids, and DNA in radiotherapy." says Shin Young Park, CEO.

By combining these two actions in an easy-to-take oral drug, VS-101 has attracted attention from both patients and key opinion leaders (KOL) in the field. A notable one is Shera Avis, Associate Director at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who openly supports VSPharmTech’s patient-centric approach and the promising potential of VS-101.

VS-101 is designed to be administered orally two hours before radiotherapy sessions, following the standard of care for radiotherapy. One of the concepts of drug repurposing by using a commercial drug is to demonstrate an easier for clinical or medical data and many KOLs have expressed confidence in its benefits. Its low toxicity and synergistic effects with other drugs make it a promising candidate for improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Given that radiotherapy is used to treat 60 percent of cancer patients, VS-101 has the potential to benefit a large patient population. At the same time, recent market research indicates that 85 percent of patients undergoing radiotherapy could benefit from a radiosensitizer like VS-101. These factors position VSPharmTech as the perfect partner that can help healthcare providers and cancer patients benefit from a novel treatment option for their conditions.

While developing innovative radiosensitizers like VS-101 is a key focus for VSPharmTech, the company also recognizes the potential of repurposing existing drugs. This strategy involves identifying new therapeutic uses for established medications, allowing for faster development and higher success rates. For instance, Bristol-Myers Squibb's drug Thalidomide was repurposed for cancer treatment, leading to the blockbuster Lenalidomide. This blockbuster drug earned $12 billion globally in 2021. Intrigued by this success, Park began exploring drug repurposing as a method for new drug development.
“He found the idea of using existing, safe drugs for cancer patients particularly compelling as it offered the potential for increased efficacy without additional toxicity," states Hoyun Nam, director of business development.

In just five years, VSPharmTech has made remarkable strides, entering U.S. clinical trials and setting the stage for potentially revolutionary cancer treatments. The pace of its development, particularly for VS-101, hinges on continued investment. Planning to complete its Series C funding round in 2024, the company aims to accelerate its clinical trials and bring new treatment options to cancer patients as quickly as possible.

VSPharmTech's dual approach—repurposing existing drugs while developing new radiosensitizers—strategically positions it to offer better treatment options to a broader patient population. Aiming to set a new standard of care, the company is potentially saving more lives and transforming the cancer treatment landscape.