CEO Insights Magazine

The human genetic code encrypted in thousands of genes holds the secret to driving all biological processes necessary for normal life and death. Both cell and gene therapy are relatively new fields of medicine, and much of the research in these areas is still in the experimental stage. However, there have been some promising results in clinical trials, and it is hoped that these therapies will eventually become a standard part of medical treatment for a wide range of diseases.

Cyagen Biosciences is a worldwide supplier of genetically modified cell and rodent models, as well as advanced AI models in CGT (cell and gene therapy) R&D solutions. It was established in 2006 by Lance Han who is a trained engineer from Tsinghua University. Lance developed a fascination for biology and began studying molecular biology and genetics during his time at MIT in 1997, before embarking on an entrepreneurial career. In an in-depth conversation with CEO Insights Asia magazine, Lance shares with us his professional journey and the many lessons he has gathered on his way. Here is an excerpt from the interview.

How would you define Cyagen Biosciences as an organization and its position in the market? What is the unique proposition that your organization offers to clients?

We at Cyagen Biosciences have made it a mission to help life scientists around the world achieve success. We specialize in creating genetically modified cell and rodent models for research institutions,  university laboratories, biotech companies, and clinical researchers. Our goal is to help these professionals successfully conduct research that leads to publications in high-impact journals or advances their drug discovery processes.

For the past decade, Cyagen Biosciences has been assisting researchers around the world with various genetically modified cells and rodent models. After ten years of providing our services in the industry, I have realized that fundamentally we have been dealing with information all along, information ranging from genotype to phenotype. With this information and data-driven approach, we can train computer neural networks to model different life processes, providing our clients with valuable scientific insights that can give us an edge over our competitors.

What are some of the unique experiences Tsinghua University offers and what did you learn from the campus beyond academics?

Tsinghua University offers a range of unique experiences to its students. As a Mechanical Engineering major, I had the opportunity to learn how to tackle real-world challenges through mathematical modeling. I discovered that the first step in solving such problems is to understand their  mathematical representation. Additionally, beyond my academic pursuits, I also explored the artistic and musical offerings on campus and learned a great deal from them.

Tell us about your leadership approach, and the methodologies you follow to lead your team.

As a leader, my approach is to lead by example, serving as a role model for my team and inspiring them to think outside the box and take calculated risks, even if that means making mistakes. I draw upon my experience at Alcatel in Canada, where I learned the value of encouraging innovation and empowering employees to take ownership of new initiatives. In addition, I adopt a liberal mindset to promote a culture of creativity and foster an environment where team members feel free to express their ideas without fear of criticism or judgment. Ultimately, my goal is to empower my team to reach their full potential and achieve collective success through collaboration and continuous improvement.

Tell us something about the Discovery and Preclinical CRO services that you offer at Cyagen Biosciences.

Cyagen Biosciences offers Discovery and Preclinical CRO services that cater to drug development, screening, and drug efficacy evaluation, all under one roof. Our approach is designed to streamline the process, utilizing data analysis and AI predictions to anticipate the impact of genetic mutations. With a broad focus on research areas such as oncology, immunology, metabolism, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases, our team of experienced professionals continually optimizes our gene editing technologies to provide the highest quality models to researchers. By carefully selecting disease models, we can accelerate drug development and facilitate drug screening and efficacy evaluations.

What is the future destination for Cyagen Biosciences?

Cyagen Biosciences is poised for a promising future in the rapidly advancing field of medicine, with a focus on cell and gene therapy (CGT). This cuttingedge approach offers new hope for patients with genetic diseases, as it targets the source of the problem at the DNA and RNA levels. As research and development in CGT continue to accelerate and more products gain regulatory approval, Cyagen is positioning itself at the forefront of this exciting area. Over the next five years, the company will be placing significant emphasis on CGT and other emerging modalities of medicine.

Lance Han, Chairman, Cyagen Biosciences

Lance Han received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tsinghua University of China in 1988. He went on to earn a master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from McGill University in 1998 and later completed his MBA at Queen's University in Canada in 2005. Prior to pursuing his own ventures in life sciences in 2006, Lance spent 5 years as a hardware designer at Alcatel's Canadian R&D Center in Ottawa.

Quick Facts:

• Favorite Hobbies: Swimming, Hiking

• Favorite Cuisine: Anything Spicy

• Favorite Travel Destination: Montreal