Our Company

PharmaEssentia was born in 2003 from a bold scientific vision: that the fusion of biology and synthetic organic chemistry could unlock a new generation of breakthrough therapies. Driven by this belief, our founder invested his life savings, brought together a small circle of scientific pioneers, and established PharmaEssentia in a modest office at Taipei’s Nangang Software Park.

From the beginning, our mission has been clear—to harness the power of innovation to tackle complex diseases and improve lives around the world. What started as a small, determined effort has grown into a global biopharmaceutical company, grounded in rigorous science, and guided by the same pioneering spirit that inspired our founding.

What started as a bold dream has since become a beacon of innovation and hope—proof that one person’s conviction can spark a transformation far beyond their time and place.

The early years were anything but easy. With limited capital, basic facilities, and an uncertain future, the journey ahead was daunting. But Dr. Lin was never alone. Joined by Dr. Ching-Leou Teng (Chairperson) and Dr. Cheng-Ku (Jack) Hwang (General Manager), they pushed forward with determination. Together, they built the company’s laboratory capabilities from the ground up and gathered a passionate team of scientists, all driven by a bold vision—despite the well-known challenges of drug development, often described as a “one-way, capital-burning road.”

Every piece of equipment and every experiment symbolized more than financial sacrifice; it reflected an unshakable belief that science is worth pursuing and that patients deserve better treatment options. Though they faced repeated investor rejections and industry skepticism, their conviction remained steadfast.

After years of perseverance, PharmaEssentia achieved a major breakthrough: the development of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (BESREMi®)—the world’s first FDA-approved interferon therapy for polycythemia vera (PV).

From a small office in Taipei, PharmaEssentia has grown into an international biopharmaceutical company with a presence in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and beyond. Their journey demonstrates that Taiwan’s scientific innovation can shine on the global stage. It's a story of bridging tradition and progress—grounded in scientific rigor and pioneering new frontiers.

Today, PharmaEssentia stands as more than just a biopharmaceutical company. It is a powerful symbol of Taiwan's resilience and ambition—rising from humble beginnings to make a global impact and bring hope to patients worldwide.

Our company started by bringing together leading scientists from the U.S., Taiwan, and beyond to consider questions like this: What if we could finally unleash the full power and potential of interferon? Led by Dr. Ko-Chung Lin, our founders instilled a commitment to improving treatment paradigms and changing what’s possible for people with cancer.