OBELAB : orthostatic dizziness and cerebral blood flow monitoring service ‘Stand Up’

OBELAB (CEO Hanseok Yoon) participated in the ‘KIMES INSPIRE’ special zone at KIMES 2025 (The 40th Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show), held from March 20 to 23 at COEX in Seoul.

Founded in 2013 by Professor Hyunmin Bae of KAIST, OBELAB was established to overcome the limitations of traditional brain imaging technology and develop practical and accessible brain monitoring devices. The company provides advanced brain imaging solutions based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

A company representative explained, “Traditional brain imaging technologies like MRI and PET require expensive equipment, large space, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities. In contrast, fNIRS enables noninvasive, portable, real-time brain activity measurement, offering higher usability in research and clinical environments. Our team initially aimed to develop lightweight, wearable brain monitoring devices. We created an innovative, practical solution that could replace expensive imaging systems using standard near-infrared components.”

OBELAB commercialized the NIRSIT functional brain imaging device in 2016, followed by the lighter NIRSIT LITE, which is now used in dementia and stroke clinical research. The company has also developed and marketed applications based on this technology. Since 2019, OBELAB has supplied cerebral oxygen saturation monitoring devices for operating rooms in Korean hospitals, reinforcing the clinical utility of its technology.

OBELAB’s solutions have received multiple medical device certifications. NIRSIT and NIRSIT LITE are approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and CE certification was obtained in Europe two years ago. In 2023, the Ministry of Science and ICT designated OBELAB as an innovative product, enabling broader adoption in public institutions.

More recently, OBELAB launched Stand Up, a service for managing orthostatic dizziness and cerebral blood flow health. It provides easy-to-read, objective diagnostic results, enabling users to monitor cerebrovascular health regularly through routine tests on Stand Up. OBELAB plans to introduce this service at health screening centers and local public health offices. The company continues to lead innovation in noninvasive brain monitoring and aims to offer more precise and efficient solutions across medical and research settings.

Regarding its participation at KIMES 2025, OBELAB stated, “This was a valuable opportunity to promote our new Stand Up. We received much feedback from booth visitors, including customer interest and purchase intentions, which we expect will positively impact our sales. We also built a strong network through exchanges with other startups, which will support our business growth.”

The company added, “Although OBELAB was recognized as an innovative product in 2023, public adoption of new medical devices remains difficult. We need policy changes to lower entry barriers, such as improved public procurement procedures and more support for startup technologies. Although investment in bio and medical devices is increasing, hardware-focused deep-tech startups face funding challenges due to high R&D costs and long development cycles. Expanding long-term funds and support programs would greatly help.”

OBELAB currently exports to over 10 countries, including the U.S., China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the U.K., France, Poland, and Belgium, with consistent overseas revenue. The company conducts numerous clinical trials in Korea and abroad to expand clinical applications and strengthen global partnerships.

In addition to NIRSIT and NIRSIT LITE, OBELAB continues to expand its portfolio, including the Stand Up. The company aims to enhance its presence in the medical and healthcare sectors by developing new brain-monitoring technologies and entering global markets with innovative solutions.

OBELAB plans to strengthen global partnerships and expand distribution in key markets across Asia and North America. A company representative said, “We will provide customers with high-quality, noninvasive brain monitoring technologies worldwide. We also plan to integrate AI and data analytics to improve accuracy and efficiency and expand research in psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and sports science. This will enhance our competitiveness and contribute to the medical field with groundbreaking technology.”

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