Hyunwook Kang, CEO of TECURE. [Photo = TECURE]
Targeting GERD · Obesity · Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases
“Currently raising Pre-A funding... strong interest from multiple VCs”
[News Today = Reporter Sungji Lim] “There has been no solution so far using advanced lasers to treat gastrointestinal diseases. TECURE aims to emerge as a First-in-Class company leading the treatment of refractory esophageal, obesity, and diabetes metabolic diseases with our laser medical devices.”
In an interview with , CEO Hyunwook Kang emphasized TECURE’s advanced laser treatment solutions as a fundamental therapy for the rapidly increasing number of gastrointestinal diseases.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter. GERD is a chronic illness that is difficult to cure, with recurring symptoms requiring lifelong medication.
In Korea, GERD patients are rapidly increasing. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients rose from 4.44 million in 2018 to 4.9 million in 2022.
As patient numbers grow, the related market is also expanding. Market research firm TAM reported that the global GERD treatment market grew from 16 trillion KRW in 2021 to 21 trillion KRW in 2022. BCC Research forecasts that the global P-CAB market, one of the key treatment classes, will expand from 61 billion KRW in 2015 to 1.876 trillion KRW by 2030, at a CAGR of 25.7%.
Despite existing drugs, long-term medication is inconvenient, requiring continuous management. TECURE addresses this by providing solutions for refractory esophageal disease, obesity, and diabetes using advanced endoscopic laser technology.
To accelerate commercialization of its obesity and diabetes treatment device, TECURE is currently raising Pre-A funding.
Q&A with CEO Hyunwook Kang
Q. What led you to start TECURE?
A meeting with a gastroenterology professor at Inha University Hospital revealed that refractory gastrointestinal diseases (Barrett’s esophagus, bile duct cancer, diabetes) were often treated using radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, because RFA is a contact-based treatment, it often caused tissue damage or incomplete therapy. Discussions with gastroenterology professors confirmed that our non-contact laser technology could replace RFA. Before establishing the company, we validated the technology through a government project under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Confident in its competitiveness and clinical potential, we founded TECURE in 2020 and have since developed prototypes under additional government programs. Domestic clinical trials are underway, and global collaborations are being discussed with major medical device companies.
Q. What is TECURE’s competitive advantage?
We are the first globally to develop and commercialize an endoscopic laser treatment system. Our product consists of a high-output laser system and disposable catheters. During procedures, the catheter is inserted through the endoscopic channel, delivering 360° laser light to the affected area. This enables non-contact therapy, shortens procedure time, and improves safety. We have developed three product lines targeting refractory esophageal diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cholangiocarcinoma.
Q. How is this different from existing treatments?
Long-term medication poses risks such as fractures or dementia, while surgical methods alter the esophagus permanently and carry risks of strictures or recurrence. Our laser device strengthens the esophageal sphincter and restores muscle function via endoscopic treatment, while also integrating with existing endoscopes. This shortens procedure time and increases convenience. Cooling technology protects the esophageal mucosa, enhancing safety.
Q. You are also targeting other conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension?
Yes. Clinical studies show the duodenum plays a key role in metabolic regulation. In obese and diabetic patients, duodenal mucosa thickens and loses function, leading to insulin resistance. Our device uses lasers to remove only the mucosa, allowing it to regenerate normally, thereby improving glycemic control and reducing weight. Unlike competitors requiring about an hour, our device reduces procedure time to 15 minutes. We plan to start Korean clinical trials this year and held an FDA pre-submission meeting in May for U.S. trials.
Q. What about global expansion?
After earning a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, I worked for seven years at Boston Scientific. Through this, I realized the global market is over 10 times larger than Korea’s and offers far more opportunities. Gaining recognition in advanced markets strengthens global competitiveness. We aim to leverage partnerships, collaborations, and investments abroad to secure sustainable growth.
Q. How about human resources and networks?
Currently, TECURE consists of five members, including two Ph.D. biomedical engineers. Our clinical advisory board includes professors from Stanford University School of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, and Asan Medical Center. Our business advisory board includes senior executives with 30+ years in U.S. medical device firms, a CRO CEO with 40 years of FDA experience, and VC representatives. This allows us to establish precise strategies and effectively realize our business goals.
Q. What are TECURE’s mid-to-long-term plans?
We plan to obtain MFDS and FDA approvals for products treating refractory esophageal, obesity, and diabetes-related diseases, backed by clinical evidence. Our platform technology will gradually expand indications to Barrett’s esophagus, stress urinary incontinence, and resistant hypertension. Finally, we aim to expand globally through ODM contracts with medical device giants like Medtronic and Boston Scientific.
Source: News2Day
Hyunwook Kang, CEO of TECURE. [Photo = TECURE]
Targeting GERD · Obesity · Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases
“Currently raising Pre-A funding... strong interest from multiple VCs”
[News Today = Reporter Sungji Lim] “There has been no solution so far using advanced lasers to treat gastrointestinal diseases. TECURE aims to emerge as a First-in-Class company leading the treatment of refractory esophageal, obesity, and diabetes metabolic diseases with our laser medical devices.”
In an interview with , CEO Hyunwook Kang emphasized TECURE’s advanced laser treatment solutions as a fundamental therapy for the rapidly increasing number of gastrointestinal diseases.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter. GERD is a chronic illness that is difficult to cure, with recurring symptoms requiring lifelong medication.
In Korea, GERD patients are rapidly increasing. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients rose from 4.44 million in 2018 to 4.9 million in 2022.
As patient numbers grow, the related market is also expanding. Market research firm TAM reported that the global GERD treatment market grew from 16 trillion KRW in 2021 to 21 trillion KRW in 2022. BCC Research forecasts that the global P-CAB market, one of the key treatment classes, will expand from 61 billion KRW in 2015 to 1.876 trillion KRW by 2030, at a CAGR of 25.7%.
Despite existing drugs, long-term medication is inconvenient, requiring continuous management. TECURE addresses this by providing solutions for refractory esophageal disease, obesity, and diabetes using advanced endoscopic laser technology.
To accelerate commercialization of its obesity and diabetes treatment device, TECURE is currently raising Pre-A funding.
Q&A with CEO Hyunwook Kang
Q. What led you to start TECURE?
A meeting with a gastroenterology professor at Inha University Hospital revealed that refractory gastrointestinal diseases (Barrett’s esophagus, bile duct cancer, diabetes) were often treated using radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, because RFA is a contact-based treatment, it often caused tissue damage or incomplete therapy. Discussions with gastroenterology professors confirmed that our non-contact laser technology could replace RFA. Before establishing the company, we validated the technology through a government project under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Confident in its competitiveness and clinical potential, we founded TECURE in 2020 and have since developed prototypes under additional government programs. Domestic clinical trials are underway, and global collaborations are being discussed with major medical device companies.
Q. What is TECURE’s competitive advantage?
We are the first globally to develop and commercialize an endoscopic laser treatment system. Our product consists of a high-output laser system and disposable catheters. During procedures, the catheter is inserted through the endoscopic channel, delivering 360° laser light to the affected area. This enables non-contact therapy, shortens procedure time, and improves safety. We have developed three product lines targeting refractory esophageal diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cholangiocarcinoma.
Q. How is this different from existing treatments?
Long-term medication poses risks such as fractures or dementia, while surgical methods alter the esophagus permanently and carry risks of strictures or recurrence. Our laser device strengthens the esophageal sphincter and restores muscle function via endoscopic treatment, while also integrating with existing endoscopes. This shortens procedure time and increases convenience. Cooling technology protects the esophageal mucosa, enhancing safety.
Q. You are also targeting other conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension?
Yes. Clinical studies show the duodenum plays a key role in metabolic regulation. In obese and diabetic patients, duodenal mucosa thickens and loses function, leading to insulin resistance. Our device uses lasers to remove only the mucosa, allowing it to regenerate normally, thereby improving glycemic control and reducing weight. Unlike competitors requiring about an hour, our device reduces procedure time to 15 minutes. We plan to start Korean clinical trials this year and held an FDA pre-submission meeting in May for U.S. trials.
Q. What about global expansion?
After earning a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, I worked for seven years at Boston Scientific. Through this, I realized the global market is over 10 times larger than Korea’s and offers far more opportunities. Gaining recognition in advanced markets strengthens global competitiveness. We aim to leverage partnerships, collaborations, and investments abroad to secure sustainable growth.
Q. How about human resources and networks?
Currently, TECURE consists of five members, including two Ph.D. biomedical engineers. Our clinical advisory board includes professors from Stanford University School of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, and Asan Medical Center. Our business advisory board includes senior executives with 30+ years in U.S. medical device firms, a CRO CEO with 40 years of FDA experience, and VC representatives. This allows us to establish precise strategies and effectively realize our business goals.
Q. What are TECURE’s mid-to-long-term plans?
We plan to obtain MFDS and FDA approvals for products treating refractory esophageal, obesity, and diabetes-related diseases, backed by clinical evidence. Our platform technology will gradually expand indications to Barrett’s esophagus, stress urinary incontinence, and resistant hypertension. Finally, we aim to expand globally through ODM contracts with medical device giants like Medtronic and Boston Scientific.
Source: News2Day