László Őrfi’s path to becoming the CEO of Vichem Ltd. is a journey driven by curiosity, dedication, and a lifelong passion for science. His career in research began in 1981 at the Research Institute for Heavy Chemical Industry, where he initially focused on pesticide research. In 1982, László took on a new role as an assistant professor at Semmelweis University, diving into the world of medicinal chemistry. There, he began collaborating with Chinoin (now part of Sanofi Aventis), where he worked on synthesizing compounds to explore structure-activity relationships—early steps in a career that would have a profound impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
In the mid-80s, László made a big leap forward. He created a parallel synthesis method to make many compounds at once. People later called this method “combinatorial chemistry.” It changed how drugs were developed when high throughput screening became popular. This screening needed huge libraries of small molecule compounds. His clever work led him to team up with companies like Sugen Inc. where he helped to develop kinase inhibitors.
In 1999, László played a key role in setting up Vichem Chemie Research Ltd., a Hungarian medicinal chemistry branch of Axxima Pharmaceuticals. He took on the position of Head of Medicinal Chemistry at the company. His influence went beyond the laboratory, and as time passed, he moved into important positions including Vice President of Chemistry and COO. In 2016, after the departure of the former CEO, László stepped into the role of CEO.
Since stepping into the CEO role, László has expanded his focus beyond research to include business development, marketing, and global collaborations, all while maintaining Vichem’s commitment to cutting-edge drug research. Under his leadership, the company has built a strong network of international partners, secured grants, and contributed to the advancement of science. Through it all, László’s passion for improving human health and his deep commitment to his team and their shared goals continue to drive Vichem forward.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
What inspired you to enter the field of business support services and research?
I was primarily inspired by drug research, and I worked in this as a university professor also. Many of my students chose careers and professions motivated by our common research activity. During teaching Pharmaceutical Chemistry for several ten years, I got to know thoroughly the properties of drug molecules, their structure-activity and structure-property relationships and the history of drug development. My initial goal was to transfer my acquired knowledge to young researchers and to educate my students, which in many cases turned out quite well. My students followed me from the university lab to our company’s laboratory; we worked together for many years, most of them prepared her/his diploma work (>30) under my supervision and obtained PhD scientific degree (>10). Utilizing our accumulated experience, we were able to assist in research to numerous universities, research groups and companies, what manifested in financial revenues also. Our research is well characterized by about three hundred scientific publications and >130 patent applications worldwide.
What is your vision for Vichem Ltd, and how do you see it evolving in the next few years?
Over time, it has been proven that combinatorial chemistry, although it was simple and cheap method, was not remarkably successful in drug research. There are much more effective, rational design methods. In our research, we use structure-based molecular design and ligand-based molecular design methods. For ligand-based design we have developed our own artificial neural network containing algorithms with the nowadays most accepted mathematical tools built in. (US20040199334A1, Method for generating a quantitative structure property activity relationship). A huge number of binding sites of proteins were mapped via X-ray diffraction studies, this made possible to screen virtual molecules via docking and design more effective and selective potential drug molecules. We used this data successfully for developing CDK9, FLT3, FGFR, PDGFR, EGFR, VEGFR, RAF, AXL, etc. inhibitors, with the implementation of structure based rational design. We would like to continue this trend in the near future and plan to utilize our compounds which are in preclinical development stage already.
What is your leadership philosophy, and how do you implement it within your organization?
Successful research is based on appropriate professional preparedness, an inspiring environment, collegial cooperation, and honest communication within the team. This requires vocation and insistence. I try to be an exemplary person.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among your team?
By carefully choosing our colleagues, being good team members, our colleagues help each other’s work to achieve joint success. Joint problem solving is exceptionally good team building and training and in general, the feeling of success is not left behind.
What trends do you see shaping the future of your industry?
Even now, with the development of biological drugs, development of drug-like small molecules has not been stopped. There is a growing demand for development of small molecule drugs especially in the kinase inhibitor field. With the proper professional application of modern computational methods, such as AI, data processing and data analysis become much easier comfortable, contradictory results can be detected faster, and hidden connections can be recognized swiftly. Modern instrumental testing and separation methods make it possible to produce, separate and purify very small samples of compounds, eligible for their biological characterization via economical and environmental friendly way. AI based algorithms for finding structure-property and structure-activity relationships and their application in activity and property predictions can make drug research and translational processes more successful, economical and fruitful.
How do you balance the demands of running a company with your personal life?
Balancing the demands of running a company with personal life is undoubtedly a complex challenge. It requires a solid foundation of family support, understanding, and patience from family members. Having a stable family environment plays a crucial role, as it provides the emotional resilience needed to tackle the pressures of leadership. Open communication with loved ones is essential to ensure they understand the demands and unpredictability of the role.
Equally important is the willingness to make sacrifices and prioritize effectively. There are moments when personal plans may need to be adjusted to address urgent business matters. The continuous nature of problem-solving in a leadership position can be mentally and emotionally taxing, requiring strong time management skills and the ability to set boundaries when necessary.
Ultimately, finding balance is an ongoing process. It involves learning to delegate, maintaining clear priorities, and being intentional about carving out time for personal well-being and family life. While it may not always be possible to achieve a perfect balance, striving for harmony between personal and professional responsibilities can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders in your field?
Success in the field of drug research requires unwavering dedication, persistence, and a deep sense of purpose. There is no “free lunch” in this field — every achievement comes as a result of sustained effort, hard work, and a commitment to continuous learning. Aspiring leaders must be prepared to invest their energy, creativity, and mental stamina into their work. It is often said that “you have to put in at least 5kCal of effort for every step forward,” symbolizing the intense intellectual and emotional energy required to overcome the challenges of this complex industry.
Drug research is a field marked by uncertainty, long timelines, and high stakes. Aspiring leaders must embrace resilience and cultivate patience, as breakthroughs often come after numerous setbacks. Success is not only about intelligence and technical skills but also about the ability to lead teams with empathy, adaptability, and a shared vision.
Moreover, staying current with scientific advancements, regulatory changes, and technological innovations is non-negotiable. Leaders must prioritize lifelong learning and foster an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Building a strong professional network, seeking mentorship, and being open to feedback are also crucial for personal and professional growth.
Finally, aspiring leaders should remember that the ultimate goal of drug research is to improve human health and well-being. Keeping this higher purpose in mind can provide the motivation to push through obstacles, inspire teams, and make meaningful contributions to the field.
