Oesophageal cancer is significantly more common in Asia than in Western countries, with East Asia having the highest incidence rates globally.
With over half a million new cases each year, China bears the world’s heaviest burden of oesophageal cancer.
Yet, a significant number of cases are detected too late for effective treatment.
A US-based company is seeking to address this urgent challenge through an innovative screening solution designed to expand access and enable earlier detection.
Kulia Labs is now poised to launch its technology in Hong Kong and Mainland China via its regional headquarters in Hong Kong with strategic support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Early detection, global impact
Traditionally, oesophageal cancer screening requires patients to undergo anaesthesia, while a camera device is inserted via the throat into the oesophagus under the supervision of a gastroenterologist.
Since these procedures must be performed in hospital settings, they are expensive, time-consuming and often limited to only the most serious cases.
Kulia Labs’ EndoVu™ solution, however, changes all this by deploying a single use endoscope – a tube with camera – to identify potential cancer within five minutes under the supervision of a nurse or technician, eliminating the need for hospital procedures.
The images from EndoVu™ are then analysed by advanced AI algorithms to determine if the patient requires further clinical investigation.
Founder and CEO Winn Hong shared the unexpected journey behind the innovation: “We didn’t start the company with the idea of screening for oesophageal cancer.”
“But as we explored the landscape, it became clear that, unlike breast or prostate cancer, there is no mass screening answer for oesophageal cancer. We think we can fill this need.”
The invasive and costly nature of traditional oesophageal cancer screening may help explain a troubling disparity: while the cancer ranked 11th in terms of incidence globally in 2022, it climbed to 7th in mortality – even higher than prostate cancer, according to World Health Organisation data.
This gap underscores the urgent need for more accessible solutions to detect the disease earlier.
“The advantage of EndoVu™ is that it is inexpensive, easy and quick to use,” explained Mr Hong.
“Moreover, it is highly scalable. It can be delivered anywhere because there is no need for anaesthesia or a physician.”
Hong Kong: medical innovation gateway
In 2022, Kulia Labs first contacted the HKTDC to explore establishing an office in Hong Kong, attracted by the city’s convenient access to Asia’s major medical systems, English-speaking environment, robust common law framework and strong patent protection regime.
These factors made Hong Kong an ideal launchpad for expanding their innovative solution across the region.
With support from the HKTDC, Kulia Labs registered a local entity and settled in Hong Kong Science Park in 2023.
The HKTDC invited the imaging tech firm to exhibit at its Asia Summit on Global Health, the region’s major medical and healthcare conference held every May.
At the Summit, the company engaged with potential investors and explored partnerships with distributors to deploy its technology in the Hong Kong market.
“As a universal healthcare system, Hong Kong is an ideal place to demonstrate our technology,” said Mr Hong.
“The city’s high standards and global reputation for advanced medicine open doors in Mainland China and across the wider region.”
Last year, a high-level Hong Kong delegation visited Los Angeles to learn more about the US medical sector’s latest developments and trends.
The HKTDC’s Los Angeles office facilitated Mr Hong to network with the delegation members and explore ways to collaborate with key Hong Kong medical industry players.
For now, Mr Hong is focused on building his team in Hong Kong ahead of starting clinical trials in China in late 2025.
He cites the city’s highly trained workforce as a key advantage enabling operational readiness.
Kulia Labs is also prioritising automation and seeking strategic partners to support expansion in other markets, such as Japan and India.
Mr Hong highlights the HKTDC’s crucial contribution in accelerating the company’s growth.
“The HKTDC has been very helpful in providing the necessary information to get us started and support our progress. We would not have gotten to where we are as quickly without their help.”