Top 35 Life Science Startup Investors in South Korea in October 2023

Portfolio highlights

• Nuvilab — We lead innovation of the Food-tech through AI technology that is helpful for both human and the environment.
• Right Route — Right Route is an e-commerce company for clothes.
• Avelos Therapeutics — Avelos Therapeutics is a precision medicine company in the clinical stage that finds, creates, and sells targeted therapeutics.

Portfolio highlights

• GenKOre — GenKOre operates as a biotech company, specializing in genetic scissors.
• GTL — GTL manufactures hydraulic equipment, mechanical parts, industrial robots and automation equipment or aircraft and spacecraft parts.
• Vetching — Vetching started with the meaning of matching veterinarians and veterinary hospital customers by combining veterinarian and matching.

Portfolio highlights

• Curocell — Curocell’s OVIS™ technology enhances immune cells to overcome immune suppression in tumor microenvironments.
• Fitogether — Fitogether leads the world trend with advanced data analysis technology in the industry. We provides player analysis solution OHCOACH with global top-level wearable EPTS core technology.
• BIORCHESTRA — Developing innovative medicines to improve the lives of patients and their families

Portfolio highlights

• Storelink — Storelink is an open market optimization platform that analyzes and processes accurate online sales data.
• Maka Motors — MAKA is dedicated to building the best electric motorcycles for Indonesian riders.
• Epic Corporation — The Epic One platform services will be improved, and Epic Corporation will broaden its business sectors. First, the global bidding system in four significant Asian nations will be improved overall, coupled with an update to the AI function that determines the anticipated contract price, in order to maximize the transaction completion rate for thesale of luxury assets. Additionally, there is a plan to considerably broaden its brands and product categories, which currently include luxury watches, luggage, hypercars, and artwork.

Portfolio highlights

• EGNIS — EGNIS is a supplier of food products.
• S.LAB Asia — S.LAB is a platform for supply chain logistics for an efficient and cost-saving end to end transportation service. Through its cold chain technology, the company significantly reduces the cost during the first mile and middle mile delivery. Real-time tracking service will collect all the data to actively respond to the incident and keep thecustomer satisfied. With the data, S.LAB optimizes the temperature, packaging, and routing to increase the efficiency in cold chain delivery per country.
• Yeoshin — Yeoshin is a skin treatment information platform.

Portfolio highlights

• Kitronyx — Tactile Pressure Distribution System
• Doctor Cha — Doctor Cha is a car maintenance and accident repair consultation company that provides application for vehicle management services.
• Stockeeper — Stockeeper creates and operates a Korean beef asset platform, Bankau, that connects consumers and producers.

Portfolio highlights

• TSD Life Sciences — TSD Life Sciences is a bio company that provides clinical research services to defeat cancer through research and development.

Portfolio highlights

• Nex Eye — Nex Eye is a start-up that develops first-in-class antibodies targeting refractory factors of immuno-oncology drugs.
• Selecxine — Selecxine is a biopharmaceutical development company specialized in the field of immunotherapeutics. Selecxine strives to develop immunotherapeutics a new paradigm of pharmaceuticals– through a specialized antibody development process, using an innovative platform technology of functional antibody screening and development.
• Spark Biopharma — SPARK BioPharma Co., Ltd. was established in Seoul National University in January 2016 based on the unique drug molecule diversity technology, the image-based screening technology using the unique fluorescent skeleton probe, and the target protein identification technology in the initial drug development stage. We are currently exploring anddeveloping new drug candidates using these three core technologies, and we will continue to accelerate the development of new drugs and increase the success rate through strategic cooperation research with domestic and overseas research institutes and pharmaceutical institutions. '

Portfolio highlights

• MEZOO — Mezoo Co., Ltd.
• Curocell — Curocell’s OVIS™ technology enhances immune cells to overcome immune suppression in tumor microenvironments.
• Novelty Nobility — Novelty Nobility Inc. is a private biotech company. They are currently focused on the research of novel angiogenesis targets and develop antibody-based therapeutics in ophthalmology and oncology, where angiogenesis plays a key pathogenic role.In ophthalmology, Novelty Nobility first discovered a novel angiogenesis target, Stem Cell Factor(SCF)and c-KIT, which was initially known for its engagement with proliferation and survival of primitive hematopoietic stem cells for a couple of past decades. We believe that anti-SCF/c-KIT could effectively address the unmet medical needs, mostly caused by inherent limitations of anti-VEGFs, in terms of treatment efficacy and long-term safety. Our target discovery is widely and strongly patent-protected in US/KOR and the lead pipeline, NN2101(a full-human monoclonal antibody), is currently under preclinical development.

Portfolio highlights

• NeoCannBio — NeoCannBio provides natural product processing facilities for generating new medications derived from natural goods and built a cannabinoid library of hemp, and medical cannabis.
• Vedanta Biosciences — Vedanta Biosciences is a developer of immunotherapies designed to treat immune-mediated and infectious diseases. The company's immunotherapies include a suite of proprietary assays to select pharmacologically potent strains, vast proprietary datasets from human interventional studies, and facilities for cGMP-compliant manufacturing ofrationally-defined bacterial consortia in powder form, enabling physicians to access live bacteria drug to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases easily.It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Good Food For Good — Good Food For Good operates as a food & lifestyle brand company.

Portfolio highlights

• Bionsight — We are pioneering a new era of AI to facilitate the long journey from a laboratory to the patients in drug discovery
• Maka Motors — MAKA is dedicated to building the best electric motorcycles for Indonesian riders.
• Saige Research — Saige Research specializes in artificial intelligence solutions for industrial inspection and quality control. The company provides a deep learning vision inspection platform optimized for the manufacturing industry to solve inspectors' difficulties and increase work efficiency; its technology provides power detection, speed detection, wideversatility, and development convenience.

Portfolio highlights

• VCAT.AI — VCAT.AI is a business-to-business (B2B) subscription software (SaaS) based on AI technology. Create mass marketing creatives as video and banner images just with an product URL or TEXT.
• Yipscell — Yipscell is a biotech company that develops IPSC stem cell therapy to diagnose and treat incurable diseases.
• LINE Studio — LINE Studio is a casual game developer of the global messenger.

Portfolio highlights

• ENEREVER — Enerever Battery Solution is the only comprehensive separator company in Korea that manufactures fabric coating, slitting, and battery cans
• TissenBioFarm — TissenBioFarm is a food technology company that can mass-produce cultured meat with real texture and marbling.
• Onconic Therapeutics — Onconic Therapeutics specialises in the research and development of cancer treatments.

Portfolio highlights

• BRLab — BRLab is a healthcare company in the sleep tech area. We serve sleep tracking and enhancing platform but also ai-based life coaching services. BRLab's platform allows you to use top notching sleep technologies to any type of related applications.
• Returnit — RETURNIT is a service that replaces single-use containers with reusable containers used for food delivery.
• Live Anywhere — Live Anywhere is a tour guide that recommends houses suitable for monthly living.

Portfolio highlights

• GINT — GINT is a company specializing in a system for tractors / construction equipment manufacturers, established mainly by experts in automotive and ICT. The global market requires electronic control and unattended automation technology for manufacturers. Therefore, GINT is researching and producing the three core systems: Transmission /Hydraulic Control Unit, Telematics and Driverless System. These systems innovatively help latecomers (Long Tail) overcome the technological gap with globally advanced manufacturers such as John Deere, Case IH and others. Based on GINT’s technology and reliability, they are co-working with leading domestic companies such as Tongyang Moolsan, Daedong Industrial and SK Telecom.
• ASWEMAKE — ASWEMAKE is a shopping app that delivers groceries.
• Caring — Caring is a visiting medical treatment facility that offers medical consultation.

Portfolio highlights

• Curocell — Curocell’s OVIS™ technology enhances immune cells to overcome immune suppression in tumor microenvironments.
• STAYFOLIO — * Founded in 2015, STAYFOLIO is a Fine-Stay platform that curates accommodations with unique values and personality with the motto of “Curate the space where staying itself is travel” * Beyond just introducing accommodation, we provide exclusive accommodation solutions by building a full value chain for Fine Stays, from the process of creatingaccommodation spaces to branding, promotion, operation and service.
• Lucentblock — Lucentblock is a FinTech and blockchain-based digital real estate securities platform company.

Portfolio highlights

• Novelty Nobility — Novelty Nobility Inc. is a private biotech company. They are currently focused on the research of novel angiogenesis targets and develop antibody-based therapeutics in ophthalmology and oncology, where angiogenesis plays a key pathogenic role.In ophthalmology, Novelty Nobility first discovered a novel angiogenesis target, Stem Cell Factor(SCF)and c-KIT, which was initially known for its engagement with proliferation and survival of primitive hematopoietic stem cells for a couple of past decades. We believe that anti-SCF/c-KIT could effectively address the unmet medical needs, mostly caused by inherent limitations of anti-VEGFs, in terms of treatment efficacy and long-term safety. Our target discovery is widely and strongly patent-protected in US/KOR and the lead pipeline, NN2101(a full-human monoclonal antibody), is currently under preclinical development.
• Content Technologies — Content Technologies is a content IP-based company builder.

Portfolio highlights

• Curocell — Curocell’s OVIS™ technology enhances immune cells to overcome immune suppression in tumor microenvironments.
• AUTOCRYPT — Comprehensive, end-to-end automotive cybersecurity and mobility solutions for V2X, in-vehicle systems, Plug&Charge, and fleet management.
• Pinot Bio — Pinot Bio is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing new generation anticancer treatments.

Portfolio highlights

• GigaVis — GigaVis is a general industrial machinery manufacturing company.
• KevinLAB — KevinLAB is a company specializing in platforms of energy management systems.
• Avelos Therapeutics — Avelos Therapeutics is a precision medicine company in the clinical stage that finds, creates, and sells targeted therapeutics.

Portfolio highlights

• Sangwha — Sangwha is an immersive content production company.
• Everon — Everon is an electric vehicle charging platform that provides maintenance, repair, and control services for electric vehicles and chargers.
• Test Valley — Test Valley sells smartphones, tablets, cameras, computers, and household appliances.

Portfolio highlights

• INTAKE foods — INTAKE foods (인테이크푸즈) is a company focused on food content development and food branding, specialized in the innovation of leading food brands. It is focused on brand development, content development and publishing, such as food activities, intake of foods, and a food culture of innovation.
• IVIM Technology — Global No.1 solution provider of IntraVital Microscopy
• Onconic Therapeutics — Onconic Therapeutics specialises in the research and development of cancer treatments.

Portfolio highlights

• arcreal — Arcreal, Software Redefines Digital Dentistry
• Panmnesia — True composable resource disaggregation, CXL hardware/software infrastructure from the beginning to the end.
• Caring — Caring is a visiting medical treatment facility that offers medical consultation.

Portfolio highlights

• Sangwha — Sangwha is an immersive content production company.
• Xpanner — Xpanner(Builtworlds Top 50), digital contech site solution, not only can bring productivity improvement(by 15% average), management efficency, safety and ESG improvement through our smart integration of conTech disparate products.
• Doctor Cha — Doctor Cha is a car maintenance and accident repair consultation company that provides application for vehicle management services.

Portfolio highlights

• EGNIS — EGNIS is a supplier of food products.
• Endorobotics — Endorobotics is a healthcare centre that offers endoscopic surgery services.
• ROME Therapeutics — ROME Therapeutics is developing novel therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases by harnessing the power of the repeatome – vast stretches of uncharted genetic material that have long been dismissed as “junk DNA.” With several drug targets identified and multiple discovery programs underway, ROME is moving rapidly to leverage this new frontier inbiology. To lead this exploration, ROME has assembled a team of world-class leaders across fields including oncology, immunology, virology and machine learning.

Portfolio highlights

• GenKOre — GenKOre operates as a biotech company, specializing in genetic scissors.

Portfolio highlights

• Petpharma — Petpharma is an Operator of an e-commerce platform intended to provide veterinary medicines.
• Wello — Wello is a government business solution that offers a natural language processing-based business recommendation-application-management service.
• Indent — Indent is a provider of a video review service platform that helps sellers increase their sales by producing purchase reviews from actual buyers.

Portfolio highlights

• Grip — Grip is a mobile application that offers to sell products, update stories, go online and chat communication to sellers.
• Thingsflow — Thingsflow is a chatbot that engages in the development and operation of the character chatbot brand Hellobot.
• Novelty Nobility — Novelty Nobility Inc. is a private biotech company. They are currently focused on the research of novel angiogenesis targets and develop antibody-based therapeutics in ophthalmology and oncology, where angiogenesis plays a key pathogenic role.In ophthalmology, Novelty Nobility first discovered a novel angiogenesis target, Stem Cell Factor(SCF)and c-KIT, which was initially known for its engagement with proliferation and survival of primitive hematopoietic stem cells for a couple of past decades. We believe that anti-SCF/c-KIT could effectively address the unmet medical needs, mostly caused by inherent limitations of anti-VEGFs, in terms of treatment efficacy and long-term safety. Our target discovery is widely and strongly patent-protected in US/KOR and the lead pipeline, NN2101(a full-human monoclonal antibody), is currently under preclinical development.

Portfolio highlights

• Monday OFF — MondayOFF is a mobile games developer and publisher specialized in Hypercasual games. With creativity and constantly evolving methods, we aim to launch your game to the top of the charts and build a worldwide audience to enjoy your games.
• IVIM Technology — Global No.1 solution provider of IntraVital Microscopy
• Point2 Technology — We Develop Innovative, Ultra-Low Power Connectivity SoCs Point2 Technology cloud-optimized range of high-speed SoCs and reference design platforms accelerate deployment of next generation data centers and 5G infrastructure.

Portfolio highlights

• Dremo — Dreamo is a leading game developer making great games for friends, family, and people around the world.
• Runbear — Runbear optimizes customer support with data-driven insights from past incidents and your product's knowledge base.
• Polestar Games — Polestar Games creates the MMORPG 'Project N' for PC and console platforms. Project N is an open-world game set in a medieval dark fantasy setting. Many believe that market aspirations for a AAA-level MMORPG that supports both PC and consoles are unrealistic.

Portfolio highlights

• Colley —
• Kitronyx — Tactile Pressure Distribution System
• Caring — Caring is a visiting medical treatment facility that offers medical consultation.

Portfolio highlights

• BRLab — BRLab is a healthcare company in the sleep tech area. We serve sleep tracking and enhancing platform but also ai-based life coaching services. BRLab's platform allows you to use top notching sleep technologies to any type of related applications.
• Solum — Stay on track with the newest technology with a digital price tag for your merchandise. SOLUM ESL is the leading company in electronic shelf labels.
• Luten Technologies — Luten Technologies is a provider of AI portal services.

Portfolio highlights

• MBD — MBD is a biotechnology company that specializes in 3D cell culture platforms.
• Ecube Labs — Optimize your waste collection operations with wirelessly connected fill-level sensors, solar-powered compactors, and a cloud platform with FM features.
• Easyendo Surgical — Easyendo Surgical is a company that specializes in surgical robots.

Portfolio highlights

• TSD Life Sciences — TSD Life Sciences is a bio company that provides clinical research services to defeat cancer through research and development.

Portfolio highlights

• ADDD — Dalgo is a peer-to-peer advertising platform.
• GenKOre — GenKOre operates as a biotech company, specializing in genetic scissors.
• Oasis Business — Oasis Business is an information services company that provides AI solutions to the finance, construction, and distribution industries.

Portfolio highlights

• MetaFines — MetaFines is researching and developing anti-cancer drugs using cancer metabolism.
• Lanvin Group — Lanvin group is a fashion industry that oversees the labels lanvin, caruso, wolford, sergio rossi, and st. John knits. It is offering this assistance along with in-depth information about and connection to the fashion markets.
• Immuneoncia Therapeutics — ImmuneOncia is an immuno-oncology-centric biopharmaceutical company. Established in 2016 as a joint venture company between Yuhan (51%) and Sorrento (49%), ImmuneOncia will leverage both companies’ expertise in drug development and antibody engineering. Our mission is to bring safe, effective, and novel immunotherapies to oncology patientsworld-wide. ImmuneOncia’s portfolio includes diverse immune checkpoint antibodies; the lead antibody IMC-001 is in Phase 1 clinical trial. Yuhan Corporation is a South Korea-based healthcare company founded in 1926. The company has positioned itself as one of the top pharmaceutical companies in terms of market cap and sales revenue in Korea. The core business consists of primary & specialty care, dietary supplements, household & animal care, and contract manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. It has a number of subsidiaries and a global presence in the form of joint ventures with Janssen (Belgium), the Clorox Company (USA), and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (USA). Yuhan (000100:KS) is a publicly-listed company traded on the Korea Stock Exchange.