Developing a 360-Degree Omnidirectional Laser Endoscopic Therapeutic Device
“Following domestic and international clinical trials this year, we aim to commercialize the technology by 2028.”
The global obese population has surpassed one billion, and obesity-related deaths in 2024 are estimated at approximately 3.7 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that without additional measures, the number of obese individuals worldwide could surge to more than two billion by 2030. As a result, the global market for obesity treatments is expected to expand rapidly.
TeCure, a Busan-based medical device startup, has developed EndoCure, an endoscopic device designed to treat obesity and diabetes. The device applies 360-degree omnidirectional laser technology, dramatically reducing procedure time from more than one hour to around 10 minutes, while minimizing tissue damage and enhancing safety.
On December 23, Newsis met with Kang Hyun-wook, CEO of TeCure, at the company’s office in Haeundae-gu, Busan, to hear about the firm’s technology and its global expansion plans.
Explaining the advantages of EndoCure, Kang said, “By applying 360-degree laser technology, we can safely treat the inside of tubular structures—areas that were difficult to address with conventional lasers due to their straight-line emission characteristics.”
Conventional laser systems struggle to deliver uniform treatment within tubular tissues. In contrast, TeCure’s omnidirectional 360-degree laser technology enables non-contact treatment over a wide surface area, improving safety while significantly shortening procedure times.
Founded in 2020, TeCure is a small and medium-sized enterprise with seven researchers currently on staff. Since its inception, the company has been recognized for its technological capabilities, earning venture business certification and securing guarantees from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation. In August last year, TeCure received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), becoming the world’s first company to achieve this milestone for a laser-based endoscopic therapeutic device.
Although TeCure has yet to generate revenue as it remains in the pre-commercialization stage, the company recently secured funding from venture capital firms in the early stages of fund formation to finance the regulatory approval process. TeCure plans to begin domestic and international clinical trials next year, with a target of entering the global market in 2028.
Upon FDA approval, the device may be assigned a temporary reimbursement code, enabling revenue generation during the typically three-year period required to establish a permanent insurance code. In addition, the same review team oversees the entire approval process, ensuring consistency in evaluation. If necessary, meetings can be requested at any time, allowing for swift communication and review.
Kang, who holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the United States, spent seven years working at a U.S.-based medical device company, where he gained extensive experience in technology development and a deep understanding of the medical device industry. While later serving as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Pukyong National University, he met a professor of gastroenterology from Inha University at an academic conference—an encounter that marked the first step toward developing and commercializing an endoscopic therapeutic solution based on 360-degree laser technology.
In the early stages of founding TeCure, technological development and securing funding posed major challenges. “It took seven years to bring the technology to a commercially viable stage, and the costs required for animal testing and clinical trial preparation were substantial,” Kang recalled. “However, we were able to overcome these hurdles step by step by leveraging government-funded projects and research partnerships.”
Kang also emphasized that technology alone is not sufficient for commercialization in the startup ecosystem. “Even with strong technology, commercialization is difficult unless it is promoted in a way that aligns with market needs and accompanied by a clear strategy for generating revenue,” he said. “Technical potential alone is not enough—we need to take a clear-eyed, business-oriented approach focused on profitability.” He added that he had witnessed cases at large overseas corporations where highly innovative technologies were ultimately abandoned due to cost and profitability concerns, underscoring the importance of balancing technological innovation with sound business strategy.
Kang did not hesitate to offer advice to young researchers aspiring to become entrepreneurs.
“I encourage you not to stop at the completeness of your research or ideas, but to continuously think about who your technology is for and what value it can deliver,” he said. “The path is not an easy one, but when your research and technology ultimately create meaningful change in society, I believe every step of that journey will be fully rewarded.”
출처: https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20251231_0003461302
Developing a 360-Degree Omnidirectional Laser Endoscopic Therapeutic Device
“Following domestic and international clinical trials this year, we aim to commercialize the technology by 2028.”
The global obese population has surpassed one billion, and obesity-related deaths in 2024 are estimated at approximately 3.7 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that without additional measures, the number of obese individuals worldwide could surge to more than two billion by 2030. As a result, the global market for obesity treatments is expected to expand rapidly.
TeCure, a Busan-based medical device startup, has developed EndoCure, an endoscopic device designed to treat obesity and diabetes. The device applies 360-degree omnidirectional laser technology, dramatically reducing procedure time from more than one hour to around 10 minutes, while minimizing tissue damage and enhancing safety.
On December 23, Newsis met with Kang Hyun-wook, CEO of TeCure, at the company’s office in Haeundae-gu, Busan, to hear about the firm’s technology and its global expansion plans.
Explaining the advantages of EndoCure, Kang said, “By applying 360-degree laser technology, we can safely treat the inside of tubular structures—areas that were difficult to address with conventional lasers due to their straight-line emission characteristics.”
Conventional laser systems struggle to deliver uniform treatment within tubular tissues. In contrast, TeCure’s omnidirectional 360-degree laser technology enables non-contact treatment over a wide surface area, improving safety while significantly shortening procedure times.
Founded in 2020, TeCure is a small and medium-sized enterprise with seven researchers currently on staff. Since its inception, the company has been recognized for its technological capabilities, earning venture business certification and securing guarantees from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation. In August last year, TeCure received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), becoming the world’s first company to achieve this milestone for a laser-based endoscopic therapeutic device.
Although TeCure has yet to generate revenue as it remains in the pre-commercialization stage, the company recently secured funding from venture capital firms in the early stages of fund formation to finance the regulatory approval process. TeCure plans to begin domestic and international clinical trials next year, with a target of entering the global market in 2028.
Upon FDA approval, the device may be assigned a temporary reimbursement code, enabling revenue generation during the typically three-year period required to establish a permanent insurance code. In addition, the same review team oversees the entire approval process, ensuring consistency in evaluation. If necessary, meetings can be requested at any time, allowing for swift communication and review.
Kang, who holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the United States, spent seven years working at a U.S.-based medical device company, where he gained extensive experience in technology development and a deep understanding of the medical device industry. While later serving as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Pukyong National University, he met a professor of gastroenterology from Inha University at an academic conference—an encounter that marked the first step toward developing and commercializing an endoscopic therapeutic solution based on 360-degree laser technology.
In the early stages of founding TeCure, technological development and securing funding posed major challenges. “It took seven years to bring the technology to a commercially viable stage, and the costs required for animal testing and clinical trial preparation were substantial,” Kang recalled. “However, we were able to overcome these hurdles step by step by leveraging government-funded projects and research partnerships.”
Kang also emphasized that technology alone is not sufficient for commercialization in the startup ecosystem. “Even with strong technology, commercialization is difficult unless it is promoted in a way that aligns with market needs and accompanied by a clear strategy for generating revenue,” he said. “Technical potential alone is not enough—we need to take a clear-eyed, business-oriented approach focused on profitability.” He added that he had witnessed cases at large overseas corporations where highly innovative technologies were ultimately abandoned due to cost and profitability concerns, underscoring the importance of balancing technological innovation with sound business strategy.
Kang did not hesitate to offer advice to young researchers aspiring to become entrepreneurs.
“I encourage you not to stop at the completeness of your research or ideas, but to continuously think about who your technology is for and what value it can deliver,” he said. “The path is not an easy one, but when your research and technology ultimately create meaningful change in society, I believe every step of that journey will be fully rewarded.”
출처: https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20251231_0003461302