KoreaTechDesk | Korean Startup and Technology News

Mon, August 18, 2025

Sign in

Virtual Demo Day
Menu
  • Home
  • Startup News
    • AI & Big Data
    • AR & VR
    • Blockchain
    • Clean Technology
    • Content & Games
    • Cybersecurity
    • Enterprise & SaaS
    • FinTech
    • Gadgets & Electronics
    • Health & Bio
    • Manufacturing
    • Press Release
    • IoT
    • Marketplaces & E-commerce
    • Robotics
    • Transportation
    • Investments
    • Ecosystem & Lists
  • Governments
    • Artificial Intelligence Industry Cluster Agency
    • Daegu Technopark
    • GANGNAM-GU
    • Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator
    • Hwaseong Industry Promotion Agency
    • Invest Seoul
    • Korea Creative Content Agency
    • Korea Internet & Security Agency
    • Korea Information Security Industry Association
    • Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development
    • Korea Tourism Organization
    • Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency
    • Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
    • Ministry of SMEs & Startups
    • National IT Industry Promotion Agency
    • Pangyo Techno Valley
    • Seoul Business Agency
    • Seoul FinTech Lab
    • South Gyeongsang Province
    • Seoul Metropolitan Government
  • Events
    • COMEUP
    • Korea Fintech Week
    • K-Content Expo
    • NextRise
    • Try Everything
  • Interviews
    • Investors’ interviews
    • Founders’ interviews
  • Programs
    • Asan Voyager
    • CAPA Global Program
    • Campus Town Program
    • SGSC Global Bootcamp
    • Gangnam-gu Global Roadshow
    • Global SaaS Marketplace Support Project
    • LAUNCHPAD
    • COMEUP STARS 120
    • K-Startup Grand Challenge
    • TIPS X beSUCCESS Global Project
    • SFL Global Program
    • KTO Global Showcase
    • Yonsei Univ Global Class
    • KOSME Global Program
  • Partner With Us
    • Press Release
    • Startup Scouting
    • Business Agencies
    • Global Mentorship Program
    • Investment Opportunities
    • K-Scouter Program
  • Lists
  • Virtual Demo Day
  • Home
  • Startup News
    • AI & Big Data
    • AR & VR
    • Blockchain
    • Clean Technology
    • Content & Games
    • Cybersecurity
    • Enterprise & SaaS
    • FinTech
    • Gadgets & Electronics
    • Health & Bio
    • Manufacturing
    • Press Release
    • IoT
    • Marketplaces & E-commerce
    • Robotics
    • Transportation
    • Investments
    • Ecosystem & Lists
  • Governments
    • Artificial Intelligence Industry Cluster Agency
    • Daegu Technopark
    • GANGNAM-GU
    • Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator
    • Hwaseong Industry Promotion Agency
    • Invest Seoul
    • Korea Creative Content Agency
    • Korea Internet & Security Agency
    • Korea Information Security Industry Association
    • Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development
    • Korea Tourism Organization
    • Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency
    • Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
    • Ministry of SMEs & Startups
    • National IT Industry Promotion Agency
    • Pangyo Techno Valley
    • Seoul Business Agency
    • Seoul FinTech Lab
    • South Gyeongsang Province
    • Seoul Metropolitan Government
  • Events
    • COMEUP
    • Korea Fintech Week
    • K-Content Expo
    • NextRise
    • Try Everything
  • Interviews
    • Investors’ interviews
    • Founders’ interviews
  • Programs
    • Asan Voyager
    • CAPA Global Program
    • Campus Town Program
    • SGSC Global Bootcamp
    • Gangnam-gu Global Roadshow
    • Global SaaS Marketplace Support Project
    • LAUNCHPAD
    • COMEUP STARS 120
    • K-Startup Grand Challenge
    • TIPS X beSUCCESS Global Project
    • SFL Global Program
    • KTO Global Showcase
    • Yonsei Univ Global Class
    • KOSME Global Program
  • Partner With Us
    • Press Release
    • Startup Scouting
    • Business Agencies
    • Global Mentorship Program
    • Investment Opportunities
    • K-Scouter Program
  • Lists
  • Virtual Demo Day
Home Startup Ecosystem & Lists

Top Korean startups in Biotech to watch out for in 2021

by James Jung
January 26, 2021
in Ecosystem & Lists, Health & Bio
0
Korean startups in Biotech have a promising future.

Korean startups in Biotech have a promising future.

0
SHARES
113
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

When it comes to newcomers, startups in the biotech industry usually drive in the numbers. South Korea isn’t an exception to this trait as technological and knowledge advancements fuel new treatment and pathogen analysis forms. Biotech companies use life forms to solve problems through technology promoting health & wellness.

The two main branches of the industry are pharmaceuticals, which develop a new medication that leads to better health, and therapeutics, which analyze drug use and administration in terms of treatment. Koreatechdesk.com has compiled a list of promising Korean startups leading treatment, medicine, and therapy in 2021.

1. Sky Labs:

Sky Labs is a preventative healthcare company aiming to transform conventional hospital-centric care into patient-centric care with continuous monitoring of its daily life. The startup is best known for CART, a ring-type Cardio Tracker that helps monitor atrial fibrillation (AF), which is an irregular heart rhythm that led to symptoms that negatively affect the quality of life. AF itself is not life-threatening. However, if left untreated, the side-effects of AF can be life-threatening, leading to stroke or heart failure. CART detects AF using photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, providing 99.6% accurate detecting AF, real-time monitoring, and AF analysis. It also allows you’re doctor to access the data remotely and make recommendations. 

SkyLabs.

CART gained worldwide attention in 2019 and 2020, winning the ESC technology competition in both years, the young investigator award 2019 in the heart rhythm scientific sessions, and the young investigator award 2018 from the Korean society of cardiology. Their focus for 2021 is to expand to the European and US markets through seeking sales licenses for CART I.

2. Noom

Noom is a health and wellness startup using mobile technology to help people to lead better lives. The behavior change company combines mobile technology, AI, and psychology with 1000 personal coaches’ empathy. Noom helps people live healthier lives by recommending eating plans designed by registered dietitians, giving users access to healthy food recipes, workout plans, and exercise articles.

Noom

Through the app, users can record their meals, get workout plans, and track their exercise progress. If you need support or motivation with your dieting program, you can quickly consult your assigned coach through the platform. The platform also has behavior change courses for diabetes prevention, which was the first of its kind to be recognized by the CDC. 

3. Rokit healthcare

ROKIT Healthcare is a 4D Bioprinting and Biotechnology company that develops safe and effective organ regeneration using proprietary bio-fabrication technologies. With the aid of computer motions, 4D bioprinting can precisely create living cells and biomaterials layer by layer generating structures that mimic human tissues and organs. Rokit developed Dr. INVIVO 4D2 as the first clean-chamber bioprinter to print freeform cell suspensions, hydrogels, thermoplastic filaments, pastes, and other composite materials essential for both hard and soft tissue engineering. Dr. INVIVO 4D6 supports cell fabrication and storage through its 3-dimensional space, which comes with an inbuilt cell incubator and liquid handling functions that keep the cells functional during fabrication. 

The startup offers anti-aging solutions such as NMN, which raises NAD+ levels and helps improve ‘aging-related’ diseases such as diabetes, brain, and cardiovascular diseases. Other anti-aging products include Aqua de Folli, which prevents hair loss, and Hi-Bikini reduces body fat. Rokit started an open innovation where it shares its regeneration technology through webinars and Youtube Live. It encourages other firms in the same sector to partner with them in continuous research and development. 

4. Genome & Company

Genome and company is a Seoul based startup that provides innovative genomics products, bioinformatics consulting, sequencing services, and custom research solutions. The startup has a vast clientele for its medical institution, pharmaceutical companies, academic laboratories, and government agencies. The startup does custom curation of biological databases, including disease genetics, genomics, and proteomic databases.

Genome & Company

Each of its projects fits the consumer’s needs and is delivered with multiple analysis tools that simplify and hasten the data analysis process. Genome and the company also provide customized bioinformatics models and strategies based on the researcher’s need to carry out genomic analysis and interpretation. The startup has secured over $10 million in funding and is planning to expand its services to the Japanese and Chinese markets in 2021

5. Exocobio

Exocobio is a medical and cosmeceutical company that provides skin regeneration, inflammatory diseases treatment, anti-aging products, and tissue repair. The startup’s products focus on Exosomes, which are nano-vesicles secreted by cells for intercellular signaling. Exosomes secreted by stem cells stimulate tissue and cellular regeneration.

The startup’s popular products include ASCE, Celltweet, and Exomage. Since its inception, the startup has secured over $46 million in funding, mainly from Korean VC firms such as KDB Capital, K2 Investment, and Seven Tree Equity partners. In 2021, the firm plans to increase its R&D in making GMP-compliant exosomes products and venture into the worldwide cosmetics market. According to Byong Cho, CEO of Exocobio, “We are going to step up our R&D and business so that ExoCoBio will be one of the leaders in the global exosome industry.”

6. Genoplan

Genoplan is a genetic testing startup that combines cutting-edge technology and its seasoned employees’ professional expertise to change the health and wellness sector. It uses innovative technology and facilities to provide the most accurate and fastest genetic analysis results. The user only needs to purchase their affordable home saliva testing kit and send their used kit to Genoplan. Typically, the user will receive the genetic analysis results within ten business days, along with a life-long membership, research updates, and a detailed analysis of all their genetic and non-genetic factors.

GENOplan

These detailed results allow the user to track their inherent characteristics, including susceptibility to certain diseases and behaviors. Genoplan is Korea’s first B2C company to enter the DNA testing market. Genoplan has secured $23 million in investment from their Serie A and B funding rounds. In 2021, the startup plans to build a platform where all its customers can easily access their genetic information and take preventative measures against any genetic risk factors they may have. It also plans to expand its offices to the Chinese and European markets. 

7. Bionetix

Bionetix is a biotech startup specializing in creating new medical therapies to treat glaucoma, relapsed cancer, and other incurable diseases. The startup is keen on developing novel drugs that seek to inhibit or completely block the genetic processes that lead to tumor cell DNA changes, allowing them to survive in the host’s body and begin spreading.

Bionetix

Bionetix has a state-of-the-art R&D department that focuses on developing new enzyme inhibitors against incurable diseases that would be more effective than today’s standard treatment. It also uses study results from public research organizations to develop new medicines and subsequent clinical studies to ascertain their safety and effectiveness. It has currently collaborated with Southern Research, a British research firm, in developing novel therapeutics and epigenetic agents to fight off cancer. 

8. The Wave Talk

The Wave Talk is Korea’s leading bacteriological sensor startup, which develops laser sensors up to 10000 times more powerful than today’s sensor. Unlike today’s procedure for bacterial identification and analysis, which can take days, the bacteria sensor takes a few seconds to identify different bacteria species in large samples.

The Wave Talk

The bacteria sensor can detect low bacteria concentrations on large sample sizes through its deep learning system, which would otherwise need expensive precise equipment. The bacteria sensor is set to decrease diagnosis-related medical costs and heavily cut down on the time taken to run nano and micro-particles tests. The wave talk has secured $6 million in funding from local VC firms such as Estech Pharma, LB investments, and the D2 Startup factory.

Also Read, 

  • Korean pharmaceutical startup HuMab heralds a new era of genome engineering
  • Korean Startup J&T Biotech develops self-use auto-injector for allergy medication
  • Korean startup QSTAG Inc.’s CSO Cheong (Lucas) Shin on how the change in healthcare management will propel growth for their products
  • Korean startup Oncocross develops AI-platform that makes drug approval process quicker & less expensive
Tags: Biotech startupsHealth & WellnessKorean StartupsNoomSkyLabsThe Wave Talk
Previous Post

Korean startup Backpackr Inc.’s idus app for shoppers who love everything handmade 

Next Post

Korean startup Yanolja: A travel ‘unicorn’ startup that withstood challenging times of pandemic era 

Next Post
Yanolja App

Korean startup Yanolja: A travel ‘unicorn’ startup that withstood challenging times of pandemic era 

Please login to join discussion

POPULAR POSTS

Invitation to Japan’s SaaS Leaders: Meet Korea’s To...
Japan’s enterprise leaders, system integrators, and venture…
by Vallabh Rao . 12 Aug 2025

K-Nevada Gateway 2025 Links Korean Startups to Reno Tec...
Reno, Nevada is fast becoming the U.S. West Coast’s next tech powerhouse — and Korean startups now have a direct…
by Daehyun Song . 11 Aug 2025

KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025: AI, XR, Smart Tourism & L...
Organized by KOCCA – Korea Creative Content Agency The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) is a government-affiliated organization under the…
by James Jung . 12 Aug 2025

Grepp Monito – Prometric Alliance Targets AI Exam Pro...
Korean startup Grepp has partnered with Prometric to expand AI exam proctoring and computer-based testing (CBT) worldwide. The alliance targets…
by Chloe kim . 12 Aug 2025

Waddle’s GPT-5 Hackathon Win Showcases Korean AI Comp...
In a field dominated by global talent, one Korean AI startup has just outperformed 93 teams at a major OpenAI…
by Daehyun Song . 13 Aug 2025

Register for Event

MOST READ ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

1.
South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups Unveils $2.23 Billion Support Plan for Startups in 2025
3 Jan 2025
2.
South Korea Shines at CES 2025: Global Innovation Champion, Record-Breaking K-Startup Pavilion, Award-Winning Innovations
10 Jan 2025
3.
South Korea Opens Applications for the 10th K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025 – Korea’s Flagship Market-Entry Program Offering ₩950M (US$633K) in Government Support 
7 May 2025
4.
K-Startup Grand Challenge : Empowering Global Startups and Driving Innovation in South Korea
28 Apr 2025
5.
AI in South Korea: Startups Leading the Generative AI Revolution
1 Apr 2025

List Article

1.
6 Reasons Why Seoul Is Poised to Become a Top 5 Global Economic Hub by 2030
20 Aug 2024
2.
Top Co-working Spaces for Startups & Companies to Explore in South Korea
3 Apr 2024
3.
Top Accelerators in South Korea Shaping Startup Success
29 Nov 2023
4.
Top Korean Venture Capital Firms Backing Startup Success
26 Oct 2023
5.
Top Apps for Seamless Korean to English Translation
14 Aug 2023

Similar Articles

AI & Big DataFounders' interviewsHealth & BioINTERVIEWSStartup

Pioneering Precision: How South Korea’s Galux is Redefining Antibody Discovery with AI

More
Health & Bio

Wave Company’s TracMe: How Smart Sensors are Shaping the Future of Fitness

More
aldaver
Health & BioStartup

Aldavar Secures ₩11 Billion Series A Funding to Revolutionize Medical Simulation Technology

More

Topics

Menu
  • AI & Big Data
  • AR & VR
  • Blockchain
  • Clean Technology
  • Content & Games
  • Cybersecurity
  • Enterprise & SaaS
  • FinTech
  • Gadgets & Electronics
  • Health & Bio
  • IoT

Program

Menu
  • Asan Voyager
  • CAPA Global Program
  • SGSC Global Bootcamp
  • LAUNCHPAD
  • COMEUP STARS 120
  • K-Startup Grand Challenge
  • TIPS X beSUCCESS Global Project
  • SFL Global Program
  • KTO Global Showcase
  • Yonsei Univ Global Class
  • KOSME Global Program

About

Menu
  • About Us
  • all articles
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Cookie-policy
  • twitter

Subscribe and be informed first hand about actual Korean startup news.

All the day’s headlines and highlights, direct to you every morning.

Contact us : [email protected]

Topics

Menu
  • AI & Big Data
  • AR & VR
  • Blockchain
  • Clean Technology
  • Content & Games
  • Cybersecurity
  • Enterprise & SaaS
  • FinTech
  • Gadgets & Electronics
  • Health & Bio
  • IoT

Program

Menu
  • Asan Voyager
  • CAPA Global Program
  • SGSC Global Bootcamp
  • LAUNCHPAD
  • COMEUP STARS 120
  • K-Startup Grand Challenge
  • TIPS X beSUCCESS Global Project
  • SFL Global Program
  • KTO Global Showcase
  • Yonsei Univ Global Class
  • KOSME Global Program

About

Menu
  • About Us
  • all articles
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Cookie-policy
  • twitter

Subscribe and be informed first hand about actual Korean startup news.

All the day’s headlines and highlights, direct to you every morning.

© 2023 Koreantech News & Media Korea Zrt. All rights reserved.

Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

We hope you enjoy our content, May you please give us Feedback regarding our website!

Single Post Feedback

dgdfgfdgdf

What you think about Koreatechdesk, Share your idea with us!

feedback popup

Invitation submission has been closed

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.