Polarean Imaging has signed an exclusive deal with DK Healthcare to distribute its hyperpolarised Xenon MRI lung-imaging platform in South Korea a major step toward bringing radiation-free, functional lung scans to Asia-Pacific, potentially transforming diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases like COPD, asthma and lung cancer.
Glimpse:
Xenon MRI uses inhaled hyperpolarised Xenon-129 gas to map how air ventilates and exchanges across the lungs offering detailed, radiation-free imaging of lung function that conventional MRI or CT can’t provide. With the new collaboration, Polarean aims to secure regulatory approvals in South Korea and leverage DK Healthcare’s distribution network to roll out the platform across hospitals and imaging centres.
Polarean Imaging a global leader in functional lung MRI has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with South Korea’s DK Healthcare Co., Ltd. for its Xenon MRI platform. This move represents Polarean’s second international distribution partnership and marks a significant push into the Asia-Pacific market.
Under the agreement, DK Healthcare a long-established provider of diagnostic radiology systems in Korea will manage regulatory clearances, distribution, installation, and maintenance of the Xenon MRI system when rolled out. The two organisations will also work together to introduce Xenon MRI to leading hospitals and imaging centers across South Korea.
The Xenon MRI platform, based on Polarean’s proprietary inhaled hyperpolarised Xenon-129 gas (branded XENOVIEW®) and compatible gas-hyperpolarisation hardware, enables non-invasive, radiation-free lung imaging. Unlike conventional imaging (CT or standard MRI) which visualizes lung structure Xenon MRI reveals lung ventilation dynamics and regional gas exchange, making it especially useful for diagnosing and monitoring conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and early lung-function changes in pre-clinical disease.
Polarean’s CEO commented that South Korea with its strong emphasis on early detection, precision medicine and advanced radiology is an ideal market for Xenon MRI. The collaboration enables Polarean’s dual-track growth strategy: advance adoption in the U.S. while scaling internationally through experienced regional partners.
Beyond clinical diagnostics, Polarean is also pushing Xenon MRI into pharma-sponsored research. The company recently expanded a new “imaging services platform” (in partnership with another imaging-intelligence firm) to let global pharmaceutical companies conduct multicenter trials using Xenon MRI as a sensitive biomarker for lung function and therapeutic efficacy.
If regulatory approvals and clinical uptake proceed as planned, this deployment could lay the foundation for a broader shift in how respiratory diseases are diagnosed and monitored particularly in Asia, where rising load of respiratory illness (chronic airway disease, pollution-related lung damage, smoking-related conditions) demands better diagnostic tools.
“We are delighted to partner with DK Healthcare one of Korea’s most respected imaging distributors to expand access to our Xenon MRI platform. South Korea’s emphasis on early detection and precision medicine makes it ideal for adoption of this advanced lung-imaging technology.”
By
HB Team
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