Korean brain disease AI platform company Purple AI has secured an investment of approximately USD 1.9 million (KRW 2.5 billion) in its pre-Series A funding round. Investors in this round included Murex Partners, Big Basin Capital, Mashup Ventures, and Digital Healthcare Partners (DHP).  

Purple AI was founded through a collaboration between SK C&C’s AI Healthcare team and radiology professors from Seoul National University Hospital and Ajou University Hospital. Since 2019, joint R&D efforts by these three institutions have led to the development and regulatory approval of medical device solutions, including AI for brain hemorrhage, brain infarction, and cerebral aneurysms. These solutions have been implemented in approximately 40 general hospitals across Korea, demonstrating their clinical effectiveness. In October 2024, the company was officially established as a specialized AI medical device firm.  

The company’s flagship solution, Medical Insight Plus Brain Hemorrhage, analyzes brain CT images within seconds and detects hemorrhage locations with 98 percent accuracy, providing critical insights to medical professionals. Brain hemorrhages have a fatality rate of 35 to 52 percent within the first month of onset, with a critical treatment window of only three hours. The AI system enhances diagnostic accuracy by detecting even subtle hemorrhages at a neuroradiologist level, reducing the likelihood of missed diagnoses and significantly shortening emergency room treatment times. Multiple clinical validation studies have confirmed its effectiveness. Based on these studies, the solution was designated an innovative medical technology by Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2024 and has also received FDA clearance in the United States.  

Ahn Young-hyun, Senior Investment Manager at Murex Partners, who led this funding round, stated, “Purple AI’s solution has been validated for accuracy and processing speed in numerous medical settings in Korea and has demonstrated global competitiveness through its FDA clinical trials.” He further noted, “As the medical AI market continues to grow, various AI solutions are being developed, but only a few have achieved profitability. Purple AI’s focus on brain disease diagnostics is particularly promising, as there is strong demand among medical professionals for AI solutions in this field. Additionally, the FDA is actively implementing insurance reimbursement policies in this area, which was a key factor in our investment decision.”  

With this investment, Purple AI plans to expand its AI solutions and accelerate its global market entry. Beyond its current imaging-based diagnostic AI, the company is developing a brain hemorrhage prognosis prediction AI model based on patient metadata. It also aims to expand its indications to stroke-related brain diseases. On the global front, Purple AI is pursuing partnerships with PACS and cloud platform providers, focusing on the North American market, where it has already secured medical device approvals.  

Purple AI CEO Park Byung-joon stated, “This investment validates our AI technology capabilities, medical expertise, and market entry achievements. We will focus on building a comprehensive AI platform for brain diseases and achieving global success.”