The company's primary purpose is to pursue profit, but its methods and processes must be accompanied by ethical values. Ethical value or social role is also a virtue for companies and CEOs to be socially respected. In particular, if the business field is a medical device market dealing with human health, having a proper ethical value will be more important. That's why AdipoLABs' success in advancing the medical device industry with a hyperthermia high-frequency cancer device attracts attention. We met with the representative of AdipoLABs, Han Sung-ho who challenged the global market beyond Korea. We talked about the success story of AdipoLABs and the recent issue of the medical device market.
"Now, it is possible to deliver miracles of 1℃ not only to Korean cancer patients but also to all the cancer patients around the world. Talk is not limited to Islamic countries. There are positive export consultations being discussed with countries from Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. The most exciting and thrilling thing is that we have a way to deliver a message of hope to millions of cancer patients who are suffering from cancer around the world.”
On September 5th, Han Sung-ho, CEO of AdipoLABs and the United World Halal Development held a meeting at the Hana Financial Investment Headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and they established an export contract.
The joint venture will be established in Chennai, India, with technical support and training centers for demonstration of REMISSION 1℃. REMISSION 1℃ is a hyperthermia high-frequency medical device that treats cancer by raising the temperature of the body and activating NK cells (natural killer immune cells). This year, REMISSION 1℃ came into spotlight since it has become the first medical device to receive a halal certification and registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the same time.
After a long period of intensive research, endless development from the company, and a thorough examination by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, AdipoLABs' REMISSION 1℃ will lead a major change in the domestic and overseas medical device market, Han said.
Treat with fever
AdipoLABs' high-frequency hyperthermia cancer therapy machine is based on the long history of hyperthermia. The effect of heat treatment can be confirmed even in Hippocrates' Aphorism, which says heat can cure all diseases.
“Heat has long been recognized as a fundamental and an effective means of treating various diseases since the ancient days in both east and west." That's why Hippocrates has left us a famous saying that “For those diseases medicine cannot cure, use knife. For those diseases the knife cannot cure, use heat." To this date, steaming, moxibustion, and warm baths are the world's most proven complementary therapies. The basic principle is simple. When heat is applied to a person's body, blood flow increases, blood vessels expand, and the nutrients, white blood cells, and antibodies all flow in. This results in the release of metabolites and tissue fragments that promote the resolution of the inflammatory response and ultimately boost immune function.”
Since the late 19th century, cancer has been found to be less susceptible to fever than normal cells. It has been observed that sarcomas are treated or alleviated in patients with long-term high fever due to infectious diseases. Recently, the medical community is actively using heat therapy and rely on this principle as an adjuvant therapy for cancer.
AdipoLABs' REMISSION 1℃ treatment principle is to apply high frequency to human body and induce vibrational movement of molecules constituting cells to generate frictional heat. At this time, the high frequency changes between the positive and negative electrodes more than 460,000 times per second.
“Most traditional hyperthermia cancer therapies are based on radiation method that dispels heat from outside. Radiation method generates heat from the subcutaneous layer of the human body. So, heat is weak. On the other hand, AdipoLABs' High Frequency hyperthermia cancer treatment REMISSION 1℃ is based on the electricity supply system that generates friction heat by a capacitive method. The capacitive or penetration method generates heat simultaneously in the subcutaneous layer and deep internal organs. Thus, REMISSION 1℃ has a distinctive advantage since deep heat is stronger than the heat formed from existing products of hyperthermia.”
In summary, the high frequency of 0.46 Mhz is applied to the body of cancer patients to kill the cancer cells that are weaker than normal cells when being exposed to heat. High frequency also increases the deep heat inside our bodies and improves immunity.
Endogenous Dermal Heat refers to the heat generated by body tissues when a high frequency current is applied to a human body. When high frequency electrical energy is applied, the molecules constituting the tissue vibrate and rub whenever the direction of current changes. This is due to the generation of bioheat due to rotational motion, collisional motion, and distortion.
At the signing ceremony of India's joint venture on September 5th, Han Sung-Ho joined with President Jin-guk Lee of Hana Financial Investment and Chairman Mohammed Jinna of the UNWHD.
Korean province of Gang-won-do made today's CEO Han Sung-ho
Han Sung-ho, the native of Taebaek, Gang-won-do, had a childhood surrounded by nature when he was growing up. The influence of his parents who operated herbal medicine clinic must have had an indirect impact to medical-device business today.
Most of all, the clunky but compelling spirit and endless driving force are the sources that made today's CEO Han Sung-ho. It is literally the power of Gang-won-do in Korea. Sung-ho Han's gregarious nature who likes to associate with the right people, was another important character that established him as an innate entrepreneur.
“I went through a lot of difficult times doing business and found that people are the most valuable ones. If I open my heart first and show my sincerity with a consistent faith, I can make everyone to be on my side in the end. Wouldn't they be valuable resource in the end that makes business successful?”
This attitude of a representative can be seen in a unique management philosophy of running a company. It is 'honesty and trust'. In particular, as the CEO of a medical device company that is responsible for human health, perfect quality of products is fundamental. Han is striving to pursue a transparent management while value of a company to be trusted by customers in company operation.
“Of course, a company's top priority is to generate revenue. However, moral trust is a very important thing to keep in mind to make a profit. If the patients see the product of AdipoLABs, they should have unlimited confidence that they can use it with 100% trust. That is the way that both patients and business can live on.”
Han's belief is firmly established in his organizational culture. The office door of AdipoLABs' representative, who treats employees with openness rather than authority and formality, is open to anyone. It is the attentiveness of a representative who wants to listen to the small voice of each employee.
“As we're just starting to grow, there may still be a lot of shortfalls for employees. When the company goes well, I am not trying to take that fruitful result alone. Adipolabs' success is the result of all employees. As the company develops and the fruit grows, we will not neglect the welfare of our employees. I'm thinking of creating a great company to work for, an exciting company for everyone.”
However, Han Sung-ho is not a crazy workhorse who is always tied up with work either. He likes to go fishing on the boat and takes a break to enjoy the simplicity of putting a glass of makgeolli (Korean wine) on freshly caught sashimi. Han did not hide his love for his family either. On weekdays, he is busy with work and travels abroad for his business affairs. But over the weekends, Han spends a day with his family members visiting movie theater or family restaurants.
Mr. Han has a history of running a video distribution company before. We wondered how Han was able to come into this completely different field of medical device industry. The answer seemed to be found when Han spoke of a businessman whom he had admired. The founder of Hyundai, Asan Jung Joo-young was the name Han has brought up.
“CEO Joo-young Jung, who created something out of nothing is an irreplaceable existence that caused today's prosperous economy of South Korea. There is a famous verse from President Jung who created the miracle of Hyundai Group. 'Have you at least tried it?' I try to keep this simple but great meaning of this casual word as a message to carry on as an entrepreneur."
Like the other words come from the President Jung Joo-young such as “There can be trials, but no failure.”, maybe this challenging spirit that is not afraid of failures has created the current AdipoLABs with CEO Han Sung-ho.
Miracle that 1 ℃ makes
AdipoLABs' REMISSION 1℃ is a medical device that contains an important difference of 1℃, as the name of the product indicates.
“One of the most important principles I have to take for health is a body temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius. When the temperature decreases, blood circulation does not work properly. When the blood circulation does not work properly, oxygen, nutrients, and immune substances carried by the blood cannot be properly delivered to all parts of our body. Eventually, it will cause the body to lose its balance and be easily exposed to various diseases.”
In fact, studies show when the body temperature drops 1℃, metabolism drops 12% and the immunity drops 30%. When our body gets cold, serious abnormal symptoms in various organs can be detected. It is evident that body temperature is closely related to the body's circulation. Just decreasing the body's average temperature by 0.5 to 1 degrees Celsius can have a number of effects on energy metabolism and enzyme activity. On the contrary, if the temperature in the body rises by 1℃ for a long time, it is said that the metabolic rate can increase by as much as 15%.
Recently, medical treatment using heat or hyperthermia is actively used for cancer cell necrosis. REMISSION 1℃ is also a medical device that is based on the same concept.
“Cancer cells are activated when the temperature is low. All cancer cells necrotize in the heat of about 42℃. For this reason, heat therapy or hyperthermia treatment is a trend that is actively used to treat cancer. It is important to note NK cells too that are autoimmune cells. By raising the body temperature and increasing the immunity of NK cells, it is possible to extend the life and leads patients to effective treatment. Above all, this is significant because it can be applied to all forms of cancer and used as an adjuvant therapy that can prevent cancer.”
In modern medicine, there are three types of cancer treatments: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemical drug therapy. The problem is that many patients do not receive this treatment for financial reasons. Representative Han Sung-ho explains why REMISSION 1℃ is such an important treatment for all patients.
“For terminal cancer patients, there is virtually no treatment available. In this situation, I think the last step of treatment is REMISSION 1℃. Until now, there have been many types of high-frequency heat therapy devices, but mainly for pain relief or simple cosmetic purposes. However, REMISSION 1℃ is a specialized medical device developed from the ground up for the sole purpose of necrosis of cancer cells.”
Legendary actor Shin Shin-il, who was diagnosed with the third stage of lung cancer, is receiving great immunity and rehabilitation treatment with AdipoLABs' REMISSION 1℃, and the REMISSION 1℃ has been introduced in 40 hospitals including Korea Thermal Society. In addition, the special seminar such as ``Necessity and Case Report of Cancer Treatment Using Hyperthermia Therapy'' held at the International Medical Equipment and Hospital Equipment Exhibition (KIMES 2018) on March 16 was great in drawing the attention of the medical community.
In particular, the seminar presented in-depth topics such as the basic principles of thermal therapy, the effects and utilization of high-frequency hyperthermia cancer treatment, and the cases of improvement in the application of REMISSION 1℃. It was the moment when Han's earnest desire to announce the excellence of the REMISSION 1℃ was realized with reliable clinical results that could be recognized by everyone.
Global advancement with Halal certification
“Because of optimistic and positive nature, I don't easily give up or stop everything in the middle of the process. The same is true for business operations. It's not my style to stop or avoid hard difficult challenges that I face in the middle. Being able to stand up and prepared to open up a chance even in the middle of tough times should be a virtue that CEOs should have.”
Han Sung-ho's patience and propensity were well reflected in the period when the Korean Food and Drug Administration reviewed REMISSION 1℃ painstakingly. It was a difficult time for Han when there has only been a pressure of fixed expense going out every month due to the inability to sell the product since it had not been approved. However, Han did not give up because of his pride in REMISSION 1℃. Finally, in 2015 REMISSION 1℃ was approved for cancer treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. But the approval of KFDA did not lead to automatic sales of the product. Mr. Han waited again patiently and finally the sales of REMISSION 1℃ was begun.
Since early this year, Mr. Han has targeted Indonesia as the first country to export the REMISSION 1℃ out of all Islamic countries, but the market situation was not pleasant. While halal certification is the most important requirement for an entry into Islamic countries, halal certification in the medical device field has been unprecedented. However, CEO Han Sung-ho strongly appealed at the meeting with Chairman Mohammed Jinna of the United World Halal Development that the merits of the REMISSION 1℃, which activates NK cells without any damage to the body unlike surgery, clearly match the halal spirit. Jinna is a key figure in the Islamic business sector, including Halal India, SAARC Halal Deliberation Organization, and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce (CCCI).
“On May 11th, Chairman Jinna visited AdipoLABs and completed the performance and technical review of REMISSION 1℃. He even experienced REMISSION 1℃ for an hour. Chairman Jinna suggested collaboration on the spot and signed a memorandum of understanding with the officials of the United World Halal Development the next day. It is the decisive opportunity to enter the Islamic market such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Of course, we have also achieved Halal certification as well.”
At the end of August, AdipoLABs' entry into India was in full swing, with 100 local medical staff in India hosting a seminar demonstrating AdipoLABs' REMISSION 1℃. On September 5th, AdipoLABs and UNWHD established a REMISSION 1℃ joint venture and signed an export contract.
As Hana Financial Investment headquarters participates as a financial supervisor in Korea to support cooperation and advice, it is expected to receive a momentum for export of REMISSION 1℃. In addition, the $60 million export contract concluded here is quite an accomplishment since the device is made with a pure domestic technology.
“Now we can deliver a miracle of 1℃ not only to the patients in Korea but also to all the other cancer patients in different countries. As active export consultations are being discussed in many countries including Islamic nations, we hope to deliver a message of hope and life to those cancer patients in more countries in near future.”
The picture of Han Sung-ho from AdipoLABs and the publisher Son Hong-rak.
Social contribution for cancer patients is the next chapter of my life
Recently, the government announced the plan for regulatory innovation and industrial development in the medical device field in recognition of the possibility of developing medical field as a prospective industry in the coming era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. I was curious about the views of Han Sung-ho as a CEO of medical device manufacturing company.
“The medical device sector is a business that requires continuous investment in research and development. However, if the quality of the product is excellent and the therapeutic effect is verified, it can show sufficient competitiveness not only in domestic but also in overseas market. To do that, there must be no regulation just made for another regulation. I would like to see government support backed by more rational and realistic laws.”
Han also said he will accelerate the launch of new products through continuous research and development in line with medical trends. He promises superior quality that will not fall behind even in global medical device market. This pledge of the president is the company's willingness to contribute in our society beyond company's commercial gain.
CEO Han Sung-ho expressed his hope that medical devices made by AdipoLABs, such as REMISSION 1℃, can be used for patients suffering from diseases such as cancer and also have to face excessive financial burden.
“I want to establish a hospital where the socially disadvantaged, who are suffering from illness, can be protected systematically as well. It's a good hospital where more patients can have benefits despite of financial problems.”
Corporate social values are determined by the CEO's vision and beliefs. Depending on the size and the depth, the future and development of a company can be predicted. The dream of AdipoLABs that Han Sung-ho has is not limited to be the simple manufacturor of medical devices. His unique mission is to provide healthy and happy lives for humans suffering from diseases through hyperthermia treatment.
