"THEDONEE Challenges Development of Portable Potassium Ion Meter" (June 14, 2022, Hit News)
2025.09.24
Conducting research integrating various technologies... pipeline expansion possible
Steintech Bio Season 1
This year, investment in domestic bio ventures by venture capital (VC) firms has dramatically declined compared to previous years. Additionally, with the raising of barriers to IPOs, bio ventures are anxiously searching for exit strategies. As investment sentiment freezes, companies are busy finding survival strategies rather than growth.
In this environment, 'Bio Season 1,' co-hosted by Steintech and law firm Delight, supports bio ventures striving to create a better world. Neona, THEDONEE, Microbiotics, Aider, and MTG were selected as the top five companies.
The second featured company is THEDONEE, which is challenging the development of the portable potassium ion concentration meter "Gnosis-K."
THEDONEE is a bio venture founded in September 2020 by CEO Kangwon Lee, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University.
Possessing technology for developing in vitro diagnostic biosensors, THEDONEE’s CEO Lee and excellent R&D personnel are working hard to develop a portable potassium ion concentration meter for kidney disease patients.
Hit News spoke with CEO Kangwon Lee and Research Director Minhee Park about THEDONEE’s vision.
Kangwon Lee, CEO of THEDONEE, said
"THEDONEE means 'The Dawn Of Next-gen Essential Expertise.' Our goal is to launch a portable potassium ion
concentration meter to the market by early 2024."
Kangwon Lee, who embarked on the path of entrepreneurship, said, "Our goal is to address the unmet needs of kidney disease patients."
He added, "It is very difficult to step into new entrepreneurship in a new field to create wealth, but it is enjoyable because beyond the difficulties, we find fulfillment."
While working as a professor, Kangwon Lee decided to start a business. He explained, "At hospitals, blood samples are taken to perform diagnostic laboratory tests on various parameters, one of which is potassium. Currently, the only way to check potassium levels is by drawing blood at a hospital," explaining why he took on the challenge to develop a portable potassium ion concentration meter.
After hearing about a friend suffering from a kidney-related genetic disease, he sought advice from nephrology specialists. He discussed kidney diseases with Professor Kyuri Ahn of Seoul National University Hospital's Nephrology Department.
"Many patients with kidney disease experience impaired kidney function which causes potassium ion levels in the blood to be unregulated and rise. I have heard that many such patients end up in emergency rooms with cardiac arrest. However, I learned that there is no device allowing easy potassium ion measurement at home."
THEDONEE has a disposable strip that miniaturizes a thin film capable of selectively allowing only potassium ions to pass through. While the technology to integrate this into the strip is scientifically possible, it is not easy for the company to have the technology for mass production.
"THEDONEE aims to develop into a global healthcare company and take a step closer to our goal of
Minhee Park, Research Director of THEDONEE, said,
"We are conducting research that integrates various technologies. We do not only focus on the biosensor for portable potassium ion measurement; we also conduct research in 3D tissue regeneration and anti-cancer drugs, so we carry out diverse research activities."
Regarding THEDONEE's organizational culture with research competitiveness across various fields, Park said, "We strive for free communication and, when hiring researchers, we particularly focus on candidates who can communicate more proactively."
"The portable potassium ion meter can be used not only by kidney disease patients but also by chronic patients with hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, it is a necessary device even for healthy individuals. With growing public interest in health, many are now monitoring and caring for themselves. Our product can be expanded into a pipeline capable of measuring concentrations of ions other than potassium."
Research Director Park emphasized the importance of portable potassium ion measurement, saying, "If the blood potassium ion concentration suddenly rises, it can lead to extremely urgent situations like acute cardiac arrest. A potassium ion concentration of 5 to 6 mM or higher in the blood can be fatal. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously and constantly monitor potassium levels and manage diet accordingly."
THEDONEE, aspiring to become a global biotech company, said through Bio Season 1, "We want to grow and achieve a win-win with those who recognize THEDONEE’s value. Our hope is to build such networks and meet good partners."
CEO Kangwon Lee stated, "Once we introduce a personal portable potassium ion meter not just for the domestic market but also on the global stage, it will definitely have competitiveness. Our goal is to be listed between 2027 and 2028. I have a strong desire to lead THEDONEE to become a first-class bio company."
http://www.hitnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=39884