Medintech
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Korean medical-robot startup developing the world's first motorized (electric) flexible endoscope with AI autonomous steering, challenging the Japanese oligopoly in endoscopy. Medintech was founded in 2020. The company is led by Lee Chi-won (이치원). Based in Seoul (Jongno-gu), South Korea. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $21M. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include ATINUM Investment, FuturePlay, Smilegate Investment, Nextrans, IBK Industrial Bank, SL Investment, Hana Ventures, Wooshin Venture Investment, Samchully Investment.
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Seoul (Jongno-gu), South Korea
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $21M
Value proposition
Replaces the 50-year-old mechanical wheel-and-wire endoscope control with a precision-motor, software-controlled electric system that is ~50% lighter, reduces clinician physical strain, and enables AI-assisted autonomous steering (EndoPilot, EndoTrack, EndoMeasure, EndoResect) plus real-time lesion detection (CADe).
Products and solutions
INTION S motorized AI robotic endoscope, GI endoscopes (MGS-400/410 gastroscopes, MCS-400/410 colonoscopes), bronchoscopes (MBS-440/460), ureteroscopes, arthroscopes, cystoscopes, ME-400 endoscopic imaging system, AI software: EndoPilot (entry-site steering), EndoTrack (lesion tracking), EndoMeasure (lesion sizing), EndoResect (ESD path guidance), MD-GA-300 CADe abnormality-detection software.
Unique value
World's first motorized + AI autonomous-steering flexible endoscope platform; combines motorized hardware with AI software to control scope movement, track lesions, and assist treatment — a "physical AI" play against Japan's mechanical endoscope incumbents.
Target customer
Hospitals and gastroenterology/endoscopy departments; health-screening centers; medical institutions (e.g., Seoul National University Hospital, KMI Korea Medical Institute).
Industries served
Medical devices / gastroenterology endoscopy, healthcare diagnostics, medical robotics
Technology advantage
Motorized (electric) endoscope control replacing mechanical wheel/wire systems; ~50% weight reduction; AI autonomous steering (EndoPilot/EndoTrack/EndoMeasure/EndoResect) and real-time CADe lesion detection; validated via non-inferiority RCTs at Seoul National University Hospital (178 patients, published in Scientific Reports) and a 5-site 320-patient multicenter trial.
How they differentiate
Only company offering a fully motorized endoscope with AI autonomous steering; combines motorized hardware with AI software (EndoPilot/EndoTrack/EndoMeasure/EndoResect) to reduce clinician fatigue and improve diagnostic accuracy, unlike the mechanical wheel-based systems of Olympus/Fujifilm/Pentax.
Main competitors
Olympus (Japan), Fujifilm (Japan), Pentax/Hoya (Japan)
Key partnerships
Seoul National University Hospital (Prof. Ji-Gon Ryu, clinical trials), multicenter trials with Seoul Boramae Hospital, SNU Bundang Hospital, Severance Hospital, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, KMI Korea Medical Institute (MD-GA-300 supply), Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) origin, Korea University of Technology (한국공대) collaboration, 2026 pan-ministry R&D consortium: Seoul National University, KERI, DGIST (robot endoscope platform).
Notable customers
Seoul National University Hospital, KMI Korea Medical Institute
Major milestones
2020 founded, Feb 2022 Series A ₩80억, May 2024 Series B ₩200억 (cumulative ₩280억+), 2024 single-center non-inferiority RCT at SNU Hospital (178 patients), 2025 five-site 320-patient multicenter RCT, Dec 2025 study published online, included in Scientific Reports Vol.16 (2026), May 2026 selected lead for ₩220억 pan-ministry advanced medical-device R&D (AI autonomous steering / next-gen robotic endoscope platform through 2031), ~June 2026 domestic commercial launch of INTION S and INTION S AI, presented INTION S clinical efficacy at DDW 2026 (Chicago) and at 2026 Korean Pancreaticobiliary Society / KSGE Days 2026, selected for Ministry of SMEs 'Unicorn Bridge' program (June 2026), Series C fundraising reported underway (~₩400억 target, THE VC Aug 2026; not yet closed), preparing US FDA clearance; SEA approvals/use including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Mongolia.
Market positioning
Challenger against the Japanese oligopoly (Olympus, Fujifilm, Pentax) that controls 90-95%+ of the global flexible endoscope market; positioned as the world's first motorized AI endoscope and a Korean "medical device localization" champion.
Geographic focus
South Korea (commercial launch underway); Southeast Asia (Vietnam clearance; Thailand/Indonesia/Philippines approvals; early use in Mongolia/Philippines); preparing US FDA / North America against Japanese incumbents
Patents and IP
100+ patents on motorized flexible endoscopy (company claim 2024); PitchBook lists ~72 granted / 131 total patent documents (2026).
About Lee Chi-won (이치원)
Ex-Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) senior researcher; also Seoul National University Medical Research Institute. Co-founded Medintech in 2020 with Vice-CEO Kim Myung-jun.
Latest news about Medintech
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Official website: https://medintech.co.kr