Profile

Por-Hsiung Lai , Chairman

Por Lai is the Founder of Dephoron Group which explores investment opportunities in life sciences, and is the Deputy CEO of the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, an influential health policy think tank in Taiwan. In 2000 Lai co-founded President Life Sciences, a prominent Taiwanese corporate fund of US$ 100MM and managed the fund till early 2007.

Between 1981 and 2000, he held various management positions with US biotech companies including Sequemat, Amgen, Centocor, SBH Sciences, and Protein Institute where he developed biotech instruments, protein drugs such as rhEPO, rhG-CSF, antibodies and other biologics for human uses, and managed cytokine businesses. In 1992, Lai also co-founded Kirin Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. with Kirin Brewery of Japan and developed its biopharmaceutical markets in the Greater China.

Lai has published 40+ scientific papers, patented key biotech patents, and has been an adjunct faculty member with University of Kentucky and Kaohsiung Medical University. He has advised various senior offices of the Taiwan government on bio-industry programs, and served on the boards of 15+ companies and organizations. He received a pharmacy degree from Kaohsiung Medical College and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.