BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), in collaboration with the Global Business Center (GBC) – Washington, D.C. of Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), is excited to announce the continuation of their highly successful program aimed at facilitating Korean companies' entry into the US market. As the program enters its third year, it continues to empower Korean biotech enterprises, enabling them to establish a strong foothold in the BioHealth Capital Region. KOSME is a Korean-government funded non-profit, currently led by President, Dr. Hakdo Kim, created over forty years ago to support small and medium enterprises in Korea.
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with BHI for the third year in a row. The program has consistently provided guidance and market knowledge, proving invaluable to Korean biotech companies. We anticipate that our latest cohort will benefit greatly from this collaboration," says Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BHI.
The current cohort comprises an exceptional group of innovative companies, each with unique products, needs, and expert mentorship:
- Optolane Technologies (BHI Mentor: Albine Martin): Optolane Technologies is an established semiconductor integrated in-vitro diagnostic platform company renowned for their Real-Time Digital PCR Systems. With a rich history since their inception in 2012 and a dedicated workforce of 162 employees, Optolane Technologies exports their cutting-edge solutions to the US, Brazil, Thailand, and Indonesia. They are seeking regulatory guidance and strategic partnerships to further drive their growth.
- Smartsound (BHI Mentor: Renee Arnold): Smartsound is a forward-thinking medical device company specializing in AI-based smart stethoscopes for both human and animal health. With their inception dating back to 2011 and a passionate team of 54 professionals, Smartsound aims to revolutionize auscultation practices. They are actively seeking clinical partnerships and collaboration with business entities to propel their innovative solutions forward.
- Rapigen (BHI Mentor: Doug Liu): Established in 2002, Rapigen is a renowned diagnostic company focused on developing rapid diagnostic kits, with their flagship product being the Hepatitis C virus rapid diagnostic kit (RDT). With a dedicated team of 204 employees and an imminent entry into the US market in 2023, Rapigen aims to streamline their grant applications, benefit from technical consulting, and establish connections with scientific and business partners to fuel their international growth.
- Youth Bio Global (BHI Mentor: Kim Martin): Youth Bio Global is a rising star in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices, providing advanced solutions for patients suffering from congenital and rare diseases. Their portfolio includes stem cell therapy for ischemic vascular disease, wound healing agents, and cell culture media. With a dedicated workforce of 35 employees since their establishment in 2017, Youth Bio Global is focused on product enhancement as they prepare for their entry into the US market in 2023.
- Cellkey (BHI Mentors: Kwame Ulmer and Mona Suliman): Cellkey, a dynamic analytic platform company, is revolutionizing cancer research and diagnostics through their multi-biomarker panel and AI-powered glycoproteomics platform. Founded in 2019, Cellkey's team of 19 talented professionals has already made strides in exporting their innovative solutions to the US and Singapore. They are actively seeking research collaboration, acquiring US customers, and establishing meaningful connections within the venture capital landscape.
"We are delighted to renew our partnership with BHI for the third consecutive year. The program has consistently demonstrated its ability to guide and equip Korean biotech companies with the necessary knowledge and resources to thrive in the highly competitive US market. We have high expectations for our latest cohort and believe they will benefit tremendously from this invaluable collaboration." says Youngtae Kim, Director of GBC – Washington, D.C. of KOSME.
The BHI-KOSME program remains committed to providing an immersive and impactful experience for all participants, combining mentorship, market access, and tailored support to empower Korean companies to excel in the dynamic US market.