GUIDONG ZHU

CEO at SparX Biopharmaceutical Corp.

Presenter

Gui-Dong Zhu, Ph.D. is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SparX Group, a next-generation biopharmaceutical company pioneering AI-native drug discovery and programmable biologics. With over 27 years in the pharmaceutical industry—including 22 years at Abbott/AbbVie—Dr. Zhu has held multiple leadership roles and contributed to the development of one marketed product and six clinical-stage programs. Since founding SparX in 2018, Dr. Zhu has built a fully integrated, innovation-driven ecosystem centered on the convergence of artificial intelligence and biologics engineering. At the core of this platform is the HELIOS™ AI Discovery Engine (High-throughput Exploration & Learning Intelligence Optimization System)—a continuously learning “Drug Hunter AI Brain” that drives decision-making across the entire discovery and development lifecycle. As illustrated in SparX’s platform architecture, HELIOS™ integrates deep learning, machine learning, and multi-dimensional data systems—including structural prediction, PK/PD and QSP modeling, and pharmacology networks—to enable AI-guided, closed-loop optimization of drug design. Complementing HELIOS™, Dr. Zhu led the development of AiPRiSM™ (Architecture-intelligent Programmable Independent Stoichiometry Modulation)—a truly programmable ADC architecture that enables precise control of payload composition, spatial release, and mechanism-of-action integration. As highlighted in the platform design, AiPRiSM™ allows independent DAR modulation, orthogonal mechanism combination, and spatially programmed payload delivery, addressing key limitations of conventional ADCs such as tumor heterogeneity, resistance, and tolerability. In addition, Dr. Zhu has established a suite of enabling technologies, including Nab²-ADC™ for bifunctional and biparatopic nanobody-drug conjugates, HydraDAR™ for high-DAR stabilization without hydrophobic penalty, and GREADER™ / uniQon™ site-specific conjugation platforms for scalable, homogeneous, and precision-controlled ADC manufacturing. Dr. Zhu’s expertise spans structural biology, antibody engineering, drug delivery, CMC development, and translational science. He has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific publications, patents, and presentations, along with more than 600 scientific commentaries, and is a frequent invited and plenary speaker at leading international conferences.