Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics announced on the 17th that they will make a strategic investment in Grail, a U.S. biotechnology company that diagnoses cancer early through blood sampling. The investment amounts to USD 110 million (approximately KRW 150 billion). Samsung continues its investment in bio and healthcare sectors.

Grail possesses technology that optimally selects minute DNA fragments related to cancer from billions of DNA pieces in the blood and analyzes them using AI-based genomic data technology to predict not only the presence of cancer but also the organ where the cancer originated. The company launched 'Galleri,' which can detect over 50 types of cancer early with a single blood test, based on clinical trial results in 2021, and has accumulated approximately 400,000 tests to date. It is also conducting large-scale clinical trials in the UK with the National Health Service (NHS). Grail plans to apply for FDA approval for its Galleri test in the U.S. next year.

Through this investment, Samsung C&T has secured the exclusive distribution rights for the Galleri test in Korea. It plans to collaborate with Grail in Singapore, Japan, and other regions in the future. Samsung Electronics is also exploring strategic cooperation to integrate Grail's technology and accumulated gene-based early cancer diagnosis data with the Samsung Health platform.

Kim Jae-woo, Vice President in charge of Samsung C&T's Life Science Business, stated, "Grail is the leading company in the gene-based multi-cancer early diagnosis field, and through this investment and strategic cooperation, Samsung C&T has created an opportunity to expand its bio-healthcare investment portfolio into the field of technology where genes and AI converge."

Harpal Kumar, President of Grail's International Business, said, "We have partnered with Samsung to provide multi-cancer early diagnosis services in Asia, starting with Korea. Samsung's investment has greatly helped us achieve key milestones for insurance coverage of the Galleri test in the U.S. and major markets."

Meanwhile, Samsung continues to increase its investments in the bio and healthcare fields. Samsung C&T has previously invested in C2N, a U.S. company with blood-based Alzheimer's testing technology, and the U.S. Flagship Pioneering Fund 8 through a life science fund jointly funded with Samsung Biologics and Samsung Bioepis. Samsung Electronics has invested in Element Biosciences, a U.S. DNA analysis equipment company, to strengthen its healthcare sector and recently acquired Xealth, a U.S. digital healthcare company.

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