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SK Group-backed PhnyX Lab scores $4M seed funding and more AI briefs

Also, Neurophet will tap into Roche's data to further improve its brain scan analysis AI.
By Adam Ang
Business representatives shake hands to close a deal
Photo: Martin Barraud/Getty Images

PhnyX Lab bags $4M seed to expand genAI-powered offering

PhnyX Lab, a startup backed by one of South Korea's largest conglomerates, SK Group, has recently raised $4 million in seed funding. 

In a statement, CEO Min-seok Bae said they will use their fresh funds to "scale our team, deepen our product capabilities, and forge global partnerships."

The California-based startup's flagship offering, Cheiron, streamlines pharmacy and pharmaceutical research workflows, leveraging generative AI.

Since its launch in December, the platform is now being used by over 60 companies, including some of Korea's biggest pharma companies, for research and clinical trial searches. 

The seed funding followed its latest partnership with Korean pharma companies, SK Biopharmaceuticals and Samil Pharmaceutical, to help develop its new product for automating clinical documentation


Neurophet ties up with Roche

South Korean medical imaging AI company Neurophet has entered into a joint research agreement with big pharma company Roche. 

Through this deal, Neurophet can tap into Roche's large clinical dataset, which it will use to further enhance its pipeline of AI-powered brain imaging analysis software, aiming for more reliability verifications and regulatory approvals across markets.

"It's encouraging to have signed this research agreement, especially given the challenges of securing large-scale medical data," noted Neurophet co-CEO Bin Jun-gil. 

They will also explore technology development and business collaboration opportunities. 

Neurophet develops software for analysing brain scans, supporting novel drug development and efficacy evaluations. 


Thailand approves Japanese startup's endoscopic AI 

AI Medical Service from Japan has obtained regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Thailand, for its endoscopic image diagnostic support software.

The AI-powered software assists doctors in distinguishing between neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric lesions in endoscopic images. 

The approval is reportedly a first for an AI-powered diagnostic support system targeting the upper gastrointestinal tract in Thailand. Gastric cancer has a high mortality rate in the country, claiming the lives of 75% of patients.