NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of South Korean internet giant NAVER, announced it has invested in ImpriMed, a Silicon Valley-based AI precision medicine company, participating in the startup’s $10 million (approximately NT$320 million) Series A2 bridge financing round. This marks another recent move by NAVER D2SF in the North American healthcare sector, reflecting growing interest among South Korean tech companies in the commercialization prospects of AI-driven medical technologies.
The core technology developed by ImpriMed combines ex vivo analysis of live patient-derived cancer cells with genomic, immunophenotypic, and clinical data, using multimodal AI models to support personalized treatment decisions. The company said its xCellSense platform can maintain patient cancer cells in a viable state outside the body for extended periods, enabling assessment of cellular biological characteristics and drug sensitivity, which is then integrated with multi-dimensional data to provide more precise treatment recommendations.
ImpriMed is currently prioritizing blood cancers and bloodstream infections as its primary commercialization targets, with plans to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification by the first quarter of 2027, paving the way for initial U.S. market launch. The company has already established commercial partnerships with major U.S. medical institutions, including Mayo Clinic, to strengthen its operational foundation in North America.
In South Korea, ImpriMed has developed prognostic and treatment response prediction software for multiple myeloma, which received innovative medical device designation from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and is currently progressing through approval and commercialization procedures. The company also maintains collaborations with several major teaching hospitals, including Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Asan Medical Center in Seoul, and Gangneung Asan Hospital.
ImpriMed’s expansion into human healthcare is backed by its commercial track record in veterinary oncology. The company has completed more than 27,000 canine and feline lymphoma tests in the veterinary precision oncology space, assisting veterinarians in treatment decision-making. A retrospective study showed that adoption of its solution resulted in a threefold improvement in patient survival time and a fourfold improvement in treatment response, with findings published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Its services are currently integrated into more than 600 veterinary hospitals across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and South Korea.
Beyond clinical applications, ImpriMed has also extended its business into drug development, offering contract research organization (CRO) services to pharmaceutical companies to help evaluate the efficacy of drug candidates. CEO Sungwon Lim and CTO Jamin Koo co-founded the company after meeting during their studies at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Stanford University. The team brings together diverse expertise spanning biomedical research, AI modeling, clinical collaboration, and commercialization.
The $10 million bridge round was led by LB Investment, with new investors including NAVER D2SF, Samsung Securities, and Alois Ventures, while existing backers BonAngels and Han River Partners increased their commitments. This funding follows ImpriMed’s $23 million (approximately NT$730 million) Series A round completed in 2023.
NAVER D2SF said it will continue investing in healthcare startups targeting the North American market. Through its founder network, portfolio companies such as Soundable Health, PranaQ, and NubiLab can share local market knowledge and operational experience, fostering collaboration on R&D and market entry strategies. The division also announced on the same day an investment in Munis, another AI-powered sleep solutions startup.
Yang Sang-hwan, head of NAVER D2SF, noted that ImpriMed is turning the possibilities of precision medicine into reality in the North American market, grounded in clinical evidence and commercial capabilities. He emphasized that NAVER D2SF will support its healthcare portfolio companies in exchanging experiences related to R&D, regulatory approval, and market entry, helping them grow into influential players in the global healthcare market.
ImpriMed’s AI models have accumulated more than 3.5 million data points, combining real-world data with functional cellular analysis to continuously improve predictive accuracy. The company plans to expand into European and Asian markets after establishing a solid foothold in North America.
