Next&Bio

About Next&Bio

Next&Bio is a South Korean biotechnology company founded in 2018, specializing in personalized medicine through advanced organoid technology. The company, led by co-CEOs Lee Hyun-sook and Yang Ji-hun, focuses on developing patient-derived organoids (PDOs) that model intractable diseases, particularly cancer. These three-dimensional, cell-based in-vitro models replicate the structure and function of human organs, providing a more accurate platform for drug discovery and personalized treatment strategies. The firm's core technologies include standardized organoid culture, which allows for the large-scale production of consistent quality organoids, and the integration of microfluidic systems to enhance efficiency.

The company's business model revolves around providing cost-effective and efficient drug development solutions to pharmaceutical companies and personalized drug efficacy diagnostic services for hospitals and patients. Next&Bio is creating an extensive organoid library, which integrates the genetic and clinical data of patients, to facilitate research on targeted anticancer agents and predict drug responsiveness. The company aims to build the largest organoid library in Asia, collecting samples from diverse ethnic backgrounds to create a comprehensive research cohort. They serve researchers and pharmaceutical companies by offering a platform for drug screening and disease modeling, with the goal of reducing reliance on animal testing.

Founded in Seoul, South Korea, Next&Bio was acquired by Kolmar Korea Holdings in 2021. The company has secured significant funding, including a Series A round, from investors such as Stonebridge Ventures, Hyundai Investment Partners, and GeneN Investment Partners. Next&Bio has established numerous partnerships with research institutions and hospitals, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) to establish a joint cancer organoid laboratory. The company holds multiple patents for its technologies, including an 'organoids-on-a-chip' device and AI-based screening solutions, and plans for an initial public offering in 2025.