Research focusing on the essence, becoming the seed of a new paradigm

LInk to Original News on People Today

2022.11.11

A researcher who was continuing his research at a cosmetics company felt the limitations of the existing cosmetics market one day and started a new research. The research that started with the change of thinking, 'Why are there products that improve the skin when eaten, but no products that improve the body when applied to the skin?' gradually became more specific and led to the establishment of 'EX Healthcare'. Lee Yong-hee, CEO of EX Healthcare, continues his research to present a new paradigm to society by breaking away from the corporate culture that adheres to the existing standardized framework for stable profit generation.

“EX Healthcare is a company that develops solutions that can provide customers with a healthier and more affluent life in any form. You can think of us as an open company that is ready to apply our technology to any area, regardless of the field, including cosmetics, health functional foods, biopharmaceuticals, and in the future, even medical devices.”

Developing a 'topical healthcare' solution with exosomes and miRNA
CEO Lee Yong-hee said that he focused on 'exosomes' and 'miRNA' while looking for a technology to implement a topical healthcare product. He explained that he focused on 'exosomes' as a technology to move substances secreted from the skin to other organs, and selected 'miRNA' as a booster substance that will provide healthcare effects such as muscle loss in the target organ. Exosomes can be described as a delivery box that transmits signals so that interactions between cells and cells and between organs are possible. The current way to utilize exosomes in the industrial market is to process and turn the useful exosomes themselves into materials and raw materials that can be eaten or applied. CEO Lee focused on the original role of exosomes as carriers that move effective substances, breaking away from the existing way of utilizing exosomes.

“There are miRNAs inside exosomes secreted from the skin. miRNAs are stable substances that can target and regulate specific signaling systems. We were the first in the world to discover that exosomes secreted from the skin reach muscles. Furthermore, we discovered that specific miRNAs inside those exosomes regulate muscle loss-related signals, and we began our business in earnest using this data.”

Meanwhile, there were difficulties in explaining the concept that is different from the existing exosome technology in the industry. Regarding this, the representative said that since EX Healthcare has shed new light on exosomes, which were previously used only as materials or raw materials, they will put more effort into explaining the new technology in an easy-to-understand way so that the industry and consumers can accept it. In addition, he added that EX Healthcare’s unique exosome technology has great advantages because it can suggest healthcare solutions in a wide range of areas, such as health functional foods and pharmaceuticals, beyond the function of preventing muscle loss.


The world's first skin application mechanism brand 'dermaFIT' of EX Healthcare has presented the slogan, "Start with dermaFIT, end with dermaFIT!" and is currently establishing a product line including before cream, after cream, and wash out. The representative said that since the efficacy can be expanded to various organs depending on which miRNA inside the exosome is regulated, the plan is to expand the business not only with dermaFIT but also with brands such as 'dermarilex'

“We are planning to introduce the ‘Dermafit’ brand to the US crowdfunding ‘Kickstarter’ in January next year. Since we are entering the market by pioneering and expanding a new path in the cosmetics industry, we plan to enter the domestic market after growing in a market where people with needs for new things and new technologies gather. Currently, we are at a point where we need to justify and make customers aware of the concept and behavior of ‘applying cosmetics to obtain health benefits,’ so we are devising a strategy to focus on health trainers and bodybuilders and carry out promotions.”

The DermaFit brand is planning to enter Central and South America following the US. Accordingly, it is developing payment systems, product detail pages, etc. according to the preferences of each country, taking into account hidden inconveniences of customers.

In the cosmetics industry, health functional foods, and in order to restore the daily lives of cancer patients
, EX Healthcare focuses on developing products for everyone, not just those with specific diseases. Even those who are healthy right now can lose their health at any time. In modern society, health is a topic that interests everyone, regardless of age or gender. The exercise industry, such as health and Pilates, and the nutritional supplement industry are growing day by day. In particular, as we gradually enter an aging society, attention is being paid to the problem of health deterioration due to muscle loss.

“We are currently planning to start with cosmetics and gradually expand our business to health functional foods, biopharmaceuticals, etc. In the cosmetics sector, we have established a product line for preventing muscle loss, such as before cream, after cream, and body wash, and in the health functional foods sector, we are currently designing a product that allows the elderly to supplement protein more conveniently. In the pharmaceutical sector, we are also planning to develop a business by signing agreements with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies using our technology.”

Meanwhile, EX Healthcare is also working to improve the lives of cancer patients. However, CEO Lee Yong-hee focuses on research to solve various side effects that come with cancer treatment, unlike existing research that aims to conquer cancer itself. Research is actively being conducted to treat cancer, which is considered a serious disease for modern people, but the pain that patients experience during the treatment process is often relegated to a secondary issue. CEO Lee said, “It is important to treat cancer itself, but I think it is also very important for patients to have less pain and maintain their daily quality of life during the cancer treatment process,” and said that research on preventing muscle loss and hair loss began for this reason. Products that aim to improve the quality of daily life are helpful not only for cancer patients but also for the general public. 

“In some ways, the market may be small, but our management philosophy is not to attack the market and increase sales. Even if sales are small, if even one person who comes into contact with our products can lead a happy and high-quality life, and if that person can gain the strength to live one more day and overcome difficult treatment processes, we believe that we have realized a great value that cannot be exchanged for money.”

As a company that provides quality life to customers, EX Healthcare’s goal is not to compete in the market to gain sales, but to expand the scope of customer rights and solutions. To this end, CEO Lee Yong-hee expressed his ambition to grow the company and strive to realize true value.

“We believe that our role is to develop groundbreaking solutions that can meet the needs and expectations of not only cancer patients but also ordinary people who face cancer one day. That’s why I want to tell you that when customers purchase our products, they are also providing a research foundation for their uncertain future.”

Researcher Lee Yong-hee, who contributes to society,
said that rather than continuing to manage the company as a CEO, continuing his life as a researcher is his aptitude and ultimate goal. EX Healthcare is a process for the life that CEO Lee pursues. Regarding this, CEO Lee said, “I think there are many people who have the ability to do business but hesitate to take on bold challenges for various reasons. I want to use my example to instill the message that if you have the courage to start, you can do it,” and said that he will continue to conduct research for a society where we all live well together in the future.

“In a short period of time, I have achieved more results than I initially planned. I am determined not to be swayed by the pride or greed that naturally creeps in because of this. As the company grows, I want to give back to society and customers, directly provide material assistance to those in need, and indirectly train juniors who can continue the research I was unable to do. Rather than receiving applause and glory for my research right now, I would be truly happy if my research could become someone’s seed and bloom even after I am gone.”