Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics are entering the blood-based early cancer diagnosis market in earnest.

Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics announced on the 17th that they have strategically invested a total of $110 million (approximately KRW 156 billion) in the American biotechnology company 'Grail'.

Grail is a company that possesses technology that analyzes microscopic DNA fragments associated with cancer among the hundreds of millions of DNA fragments in blood using AI-based genome analysis technology to predict the presence or absence of cancer and even the location of its occurrence.

The 'Galleri' test they developed can diagnose over 50 types of cancer early with just one blood draw, and is also effective for cancers for which there are no existing screening tests, such as pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer.

Launched in 2021, the Gallery test has recorded approximately 400,000 cumulative tests to date and is also conducting large-scale clinical trials with the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

Grail plans to apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of its gallery test sometime next year.

With this investment, Samsung C&T has secured exclusive distribution rights for Gallery Inspection in Korea, and plans to collaborate with Grail in Asian markets such as Singapore and Japan in the future.

Kim Jae-woo, Vice President of Samsung C&T’s Life Science Business Unit, said, “Grail is the leading company in the field of early diagnosis of multiple cancers based on genes,” and added, “Through this collaboration, we will expand Samsung C&T’s bio and healthcare investment portfolio centered on AI and genomics technologies.”

Samsung Electronics inspects the galleryThe company plans to provide personalized digital healthcare services by linking its genetic data with its 'Samsung Health' platform.

“This is a strategic collaboration to realize our vision of improving health in everyday life through technology,” said Park Heon-soo, head of the digital health team at Samsung Electronics’ MX business division.

“Our partnership with Samsung will enable us to expand our multi-cancer early detection service across Asia, starting in Korea,” said Harpal Kumar, Grail’s President of International Business. “This investment is a significant milestone in our efforts to get our Gallery test covered by insurance in the U.S. and other key markets.”

Meanwhile, Samsung C&T has also invested in the American Alzheimer's blood testing company 'C2N' and the Flagship Pioneering Fund through the Life Science Fund, which it jointly invested in with Samsung BioLogics and Samsung Bioepis.

Samsung Electronics is strengthening its healthcare sector by investing in the American DNA analysis equipment company Element Bioscience and acquiring the digital healthcare company Xealth.