The technology of liquid biopsy, which analyzes components in bodily fluids such as blood or urine to diagnose diseases, is gaining attention in the medical field. According to global market research firm Precision Research, the liquid biopsy market is projected to grow from $4.7 billion (approximately 6.7 trillion won) in 2022 to $18.2 billion (approximately 26 trillion won) by 2032. The growth rate of the market is expected to accelerate once it is recognized as a reimbursable service by insurance companies in the U.S. and Europe.
South Korean bio startup LMNTIC Biotech has challenged the in vitro diagnostics market with its innovative technology. Established in 2022 as a student enterprise at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), LMNTIC Biotech is developing technology that utilizes magnetic fields to isolate trace amounts of tumor cells from blood, based on the fundamental technology of Professor Kim Cheol-ki at DGIST.
On the 5th, Liu Dong-hwan, the CEO of LMNTIC Biotech, noted, "There are minimal amounts of tumor cells present in the blood of cancer patients; if there are one billion red blood cells and one million white blood cells in 10 mL of blood, there may be only one or two tumor cells, making them quite rare," adding, "We are perfecting the technology to effectively isolate these rare cells."
The core technology of LMNTIC Biotech involves precisely moving cells one by one. After designing a magnetic pattern in circuit form on a silicon or glass substrate, applying a uniform magnetic field allows cells to move along the pattern. By adding antibodies that recognize specific tumor cells, it becomes possible to effectively isolate trace amounts of tumor cells.
CEO Liu explained, "The principle is to design a path for cells to travel, similar to an electronic circuit, and use magnetic fields to move cells in specific directions," adding, "By simultaneously using three conditions: cell size, antibody response, and selective movement due to magnetic fields, we can isolate the desired single cell."
Since July of this year, the company has successfully created research prototypes with the support of the G-Valley Medical Device Development Support Center. CEO Liu stated, "Thanks to the center's support, we were able to produce high-quality research prototypes through sophisticated processing and structural design, rather than the previously 3D-printed testing products," and added, "This has established a strong foundation for preparing for commercialization."
LMNTIC Biotech is currently verifying the performance of research prototypes using cells from one of the solid tumors, breast cancer. Starting in January of next year, the company will collaborate with Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital to conduct experiments using patients' blood.
CEO Liu stated, "The top priority is to secure more validation data based on human-derived materials, and to optimize technology to develop the final product of an in vitro diagnostic medical device," and projected, "From the second half of 2025, we expect to record meaningful sales ranging from 50 million to 100 million won."