In an era where technological advancements are reshaping the landscape of healthcare, Prevenotics is emerging as a beacon of hope in the early cancer detection space. Led by CEO SooYoun Chang, the company is at the forefront of revolutionising the early detection and prevention of gastric cancer with its AI-powered diagnostic tool, Prevenotics-G Pro.

Driven by the profound personal loss of her father, who was a respected role model, Chang has channelled her reflections and “what if” moments into a mission to save millions of lives and propel the medical field towards a future where early intervention is the norm. Her deep empathy and insights fuel a vision where technology and compassion converge to transform patient outcomes.

A personal mission turns into a groundbreaking venture

Chang’s journey to founding Prevenotics is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Reflecting on her father’s battle with cancer, she shared, “Even my father, who dedicated his life as a medical doctor, unfortunately, missed the chance for early intervention as his cancer progressed to a severe stage. Watching him suffer was heartbreaking. This experience made me acutely aware of the urgent need for early detection and inspired me to create Prevenotics. I wanted to help others avoid the same regret.”

Before embarking on this venture, Chang spent 16 years at Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical leader, where she developed her skills in strategy, business development, and commercial excellence. Her extensive experience equipped her with the insights and determination necessary to challenge existing paradigms in the healthcare system and lead the creation of innovative solutions like Prevenotics-G Pro.

Building the team: Collaboration at its finest

The formation of Prevenotics was not a solo effort. Chang emphasised the importance of balancing medical, technological, and healthcare business expertise. Her team comprises a mix of medical professionals, including professors from Seoul National University Hospital, AI experts previously with LG Electronics, and healthcare business experts like herself.

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“Initially, I joined a group of high school and university alumni who were investigating the feasibility of medical research,” Chang recounted. “With my expertise in healthcare business and management, I contributed to defining the vision and planning the project. Recognising that the venture’s success hinged on effective market penetration and sustainable profitability, I decided to take the lead after validating the feasibility of our R&D efforts.”

This interdisciplinary collaboration bore fruit when the AI algorithms were developed by a team that included current CTO, Dr. Junwoo Lee, who was working as a chief researcher at LG Electronics at the time.

Bridging the gap: The power of early detection

The discrepancies in gastric cancer survival rates between countries are stark and alarming. In South Korea, the five-year survival rate for gastric cancer is an impressive 78 per cent, compared to a mere 25 per cent in the United States. This striking difference can largely be attributed to the emphasis on early detection and advanced screening methodologies in South Korea. “Early detection is crucial,” Chang stressed. “In Korea and Japan, where if gastric cancer is caught at stage one, the five-year survival rate soars up to 96 per cent. Conversely, stage four diagnoses see survival rates plummet to just seven per cent.”

These figures underscore the critical need for proactive cancer screening and prevention. “In the United States, a gastric cancer diagnosis often feels like a death sentence,” Chang noted, contrasting it with the higher chances of survival in regions with robust early detection systems.

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Introducing Prevenotics-G Pro: A game-changer in cancer detection

“At the heart of Prevenotics’ innovation lies the Prevenotics-G Pro, an AI-powered diagnostic tool designed to assist in revolutionising the detection of gastric cancer through endoscopy. With over 90 per cent accuracy in identifying pre-cancerous conditions in under three minutes, this rapid, reliable, and non-invasive tool is set to transform early detection practices. ‘Our tool is designed to be both highly accurate and easy to use, which is crucial for widespread adoption. By assisting in early detection, we aim to significantly reduce mortality rates,” explained Chang.

Looking ahead: A vision for a cancer-free future

Prevenotics’ vision extends far beyond gastric cancer. The company plans to expand its AI technology to detect other types of cancers, including esophageal and colorectal cancer, with the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive cancer prevention ecosystem. “Our vision goes beyond just one type of cancer,” says Chang. “We are committed to advancing AI technology to detect a range of pre-cancers at their earliest stages, ensuring interventions can be most effective.”

Chang also envisions a healthcare system where patients play an active role in their health management. “We aim to systematically manage pre-cancerous conditions, enabling patients, doctors, and health systems to collaboratively work towards a cancer-free world,” she affirmed.

Paving the way towards a cancer-free world

Prevenotics stands at the threshold of a new era in healthcare, where technology meets compassion to create a future where pre-cancer is detected early, treated effectively, and ultimately, prevented. Chang’s personal passion has driven groundbreaking innovation, offering new hope for patients worldwide. With every early diagnosis, the world moves one step closer to a cancer-free future.

As Prevenotics continues to blaze trails in the early detection of cancer, Chang and her team remain dedicated to their mission, turning personal loss into a global gain. Through AI-driven technology and an unwavering commitment to saving lives, they are poised to make a remarkable impact on global health, changing the prognosis for gastric cancer and beyond.

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Image credit: Prevenotics

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