Without strong support for drug research, life-saving treatments can be delayed, leaving patients waiting longer for the medicines they urgently need. Even brilliant ideas can get stuck in the lab without the powerful tools and guidance to turn them into real therapies.
Hanzhong Zhang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BroadPharm, fills that gap. As a scientist and business leader, he provides practical chemistry tools that help pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers bring their ideas to life. With deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, he focuses on solutions for antibody-based therapies, bioconjugation, and drug delivery, helping scientists create treatments that are safer, more effective, and precise.
The Early Years
Dr. Hanzhong Zhang began his career in 1997 as a research scientist in the biotech industry, designing new molecules for cancer treatment. During the 2008 and 2009 global economic crisis, the company Dr. Zhang worked with closed its research division, leaving him and many other scientists with few opportunities.
Faced with this situation, Zhang reflected on his skills and realized he could combine his passion for chemistry with business. Encouraged by publications like The Wall Street Journal and supported by his family, friends, and pastor, he decided to start a chemistry service company. This would create opportunities for himself and for other chemists struggling to find work.
He noticed that many biotech companies were downsizing but still outsourcing chemistry projects. Zhang reached out to local contacts, bought surplus lab equipment at low cost, and formed a small team of chemists eager for work. One of his biggest challenges was learning sales and marketing, as he had a scientific background and was not a native English speaker. Reading The Greatest Salesman in the World gave him the confidence to approach clients.
In 2009, Hanzhong Zhang founded BroadPharm with a dream goal: to provide chemistry services and products to pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide. The company first focused on chemical synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Zhang saw the potential of PEG compounds, which are ideal in bioconjugation Precision therapies like antibody-drug conjugates. Under his leadership, the team developed PEG linkers with various functionalities, supporting the growing research in this field.
Today, BroadPharm, based in San Diego, is a leading provider of PEG linkers, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC) linkers, biolabeling reagents, and drug delivery lipids. Zhang’s vision continues to guide the company in advancing drug discovery and development for pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic researchers around the world.
Support from Family and Friends in Tough Times
A defining moment in Zhang’s career came during the global economic downturn of 2008–2009, when the company he worked with had to close its R&D team due to financial difficulties. Like many scientists at the time, he faced months of uncertainty while trying to find a new position.
During this period, Zhang received strong support from his family and encouragement from friends. He also found inspiration in a book that reinforced his belief that every challenge holds an opportunity. This mindset gave him the confidence to look beyond obstacles and explore new paths.
It was during this time that Zhang discovered his entrepreneurial spirit. Over the past 16 years, this drive has guided his career and become his passion, allowing him to bring together his strong chemistry knowledge with his natural business insight.
High-Quality Products and Service
Hanzhong Zhang expresses sincere appreciation for the support and business opportunities from clients across industry, academia, and business partners. Over the past 16 years, BroadPharm has grown from a small startup into a trusted company, building its capabilities step by step.
The company focuses on serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with:
- Thousands of research-grade products, all produced and tested according to ISO 9001 standards.
- GMP-grade products in collaboration with GMP-certified partners.
- Reliable, timely service to meet the needs of clients worldwide.
BroadPharm has achieved 15 consecutive years of steady growth, averaging more than 20 percent annually, reflecting its consistent commitment to quality and service.
Improving Drug Solubility with Water-Soluble Linkers
BroadPharm specializes in designing and producing bioconjugation linkers for pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.
The company develops a diverse range of linkers to meet the varied needs of researchers, including:
- PEG linkers for bioconjugation and ADCs
- Dual Payload Linkers for next-generation ADCs
- Click chemistry-functionalized linkers
- Site-specific conjugation tools to simplify manufacturing and ensure uniformity
These solutions allow controlled attachment of drugs, support complex pharmaceutical research, and improve the efficiency of biotherapeutic development.
Helping in Cancer and Immune Therapies
BroadPharm’s conjugation linkers have been used in thousands of research projects and featured in many scientific publications. They are also part of several clinical-stage drugs in cancer, the immune system, and flu research.
These linkers are used in ADCs, Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs), and Antibody Fragment-Fc Conjugates (DFCs).
BroadPharm has also created special lipids for delivering drugs in nanoparticles, especially for mRNA and vaccines. These lipids are now used by leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide.
Pharma in the Next 5–10 Years
Dr. Hanzhong Zhang believes that over the next five to ten years, the pharmaceutical industry will undergo major transformation driven by AI-assisted drug discovery & development, cell and gene therapies, precision-targeted treatments, and personalized medicine. He also highlights the growing role of digital health technologies and more efficient, patient-focused supply chains in improving how therapies are developed and delivered.
As a leading provider of bioconjugate linkers, including ADC linkers, PEG linkers, click chemistry linkers, and customized conjugation services, BroadPharm is well-positioned to support these changes. By supplying high-quality, reliable chemistry tools, the company helps researchers deliver drugs more precisely, accelerate the development of advanced therapies, and bring new, effective treatments to patients worldwide.
Media Recognitions
In 2025, BroadPharm was named PEG Linker Manufacturer of the Year by Life Science Review, recognizing the company’s leadership in the field of bioconjugation. The magazine featured a three-page cover story and highlighted BroadPharm on its front cover. The article focused on the company’s expertise in producing high-purity PEG linkers, advanced click chemistry tools, and ADC linker technologies. These linker products and technologies are expanding the horizons of the pharmaceutical and biotech landscape, paving the way for revolutionary next-generation treatments.
Spotting Areas for Improvement
BroadPharm values customer feedback as a key way to improve its products, services, and operations. Feedback is collected through surveys, customer support, reviews, social media, and observations from product use. Each comment is carefully reviewed to understand customer needs and identify areas for improvement.
For example, customers once noted that some PEG linker products lacked clear usage instructions. In response, BroadPharm updated the product manuals with step-by-step guides and added online tutorials. This made it easier for researchers to use the products and improved overall customer satisfaction.
Advice for Upcoming Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
Hanzhong Zhang advises aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders that entrepreneurship begins with a clear purpose and direction. It should focus on solving a real problem in the market, preferably one the entrepreneur feels passionate about. Passion fuels motivation and gives the energy needed to overcome challenges along the way.
Choosing the right path means understanding what the market truly needs and finding ways to create lasting value.
Opportunities generally fall into three types:
- Unmet Needs: Problems or pain points customers face that are not yet addressed, offering a chance to make a real difference.
- Underserved Needs: Areas where solutions exist but are incomplete, leaving room for improvement and growth.
- Future Needs: Anticipating the demands of tomorrow that may not exist yet but could shape industries, requiring vision and commitment.
Success comes from offering something valuable, distinctive, and useful. Entrepreneurs should stay focused on long-term goals while keeping a realistic view of today’s market. By balancing vision with practicality, they can create meaningful impact and lasting success.
Quick Takes
1. One tool or app you would recommend to professionals in your industry: 
Daily used tools such as Google , ChatGPT, Scifinder.
2. One quote that motivates you the most: 
You have to meet today with all your love, because that is the greatest secret of all success. Meet today with all your love, for that is the greatest secret to success.
3. One movie or book you recommend everyone in business or leadership should experience: 
The first book I recommend: The Greatest Salesman in the World
Hanzhong Zhang’s 7 Impactful Business Mantras
- Purpose Drives Progress: Start every venture with a clear goal and passion for solving real problems.
- Innovation Matters: Develop solutions that make research and therapies more precise, safe, and effective.
- Customer Focus is Key: Listen to feedback and continuously improve products, tools, and services.
- Learn and Adapt: Embrace challenges, acquire new skills, and turn obstacles into opportunities.
- Leverage Outside Resources smartly: Use of External Aid, leverage what you don’t own
- Long-Term Vision Wins: Balance today’s realities with tomorrow’s possibilities to create lasting impact.
- Collaboration with Win-Win mindset: Build Long-Term Relationships
