Key Points
- Alpinion Medical Systems is a Korea-based focused ultrasound manufacturer with offices in the US, Germany, and China.
- The company’s Alpius HIFU device is used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, and clinical trials are underway for pancreatic cancer.
- Alpinion also designs, manufactures, and sells ultrasound imaging systems and six different types of ultrasound transducers.
Alpinion Medical Systems is a Korea-based focused ultrasound manufacturer with offices in the US, Germany, and China. Its ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound system, the ALPIUS 900, is used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. Clinical trials are now underway using the Alpinion platform for pancreatic cancer treatment. Beyond therapeutic ultrasound, Alpinion also designs, manufactures, and sells ultrasound imaging systems and six different types of ultrasound transducers.
Where is the company headquartered, and does it have any additional locations?
The company is headquartered in South Korea at 77, Heungan-daero 81 beon-gil Dongan-gu, Anyang si, Gyeonggi-do. Our US office is located near Seattle in Bothell, Washington, at 21312 30th Drive SE, Suite 100. In Germany, we have an office near Munich in Halbergmoos at Lilienthalstrasse 17a, D-85399. Our location in China is at Victory Plaza No.103, Tiyu, West Road, TianHe District.
Our website can be found at http://www.alpinion.com.
When and why was the company started?
The company was started on April 24, 2007, so it has now been in business for 15 years. Alpinion was formed to commercialize ultrasound diagnosis and treatment equipment. Beyond its high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system, Alpinion also currently sells 11 diagnostic ultrasound systems and six different shapes of ultrasound transducers (convex, linear, phased array, endocavity, volume, and pencil).
Tell us about your company structure: ownership, lead executives, and their roles. In general, what is the current status of your company?
Alpinion Medical Systems is owned by ILJIN Holdings (stockholder), and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Hyunjong Park. In 2021, Alpinion’s sales for diagonsis and treatment equipment was US$65 million. The company has 70 R&D employees.
The point of contact for the HIFU division of Alpinion Medical Systems is Dr. Kang Kookjin, the HIFU team’s Chief Engineer.
How many years has your treatment platform been in development, and what are its origins?
The development process started in 2008, and commercialization began in 2014. The HIFU platform, ALPIUS 900, is used in Korea to treat women with uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.
What are some of the technical challenges your group has had to overcome?
Alpinion is developing a treatment device with histotripsy technology based on artificial intelligence. For the development of noninvasive treatment systems, it is necessary to miniaturize the system and secure clinical effectiveness.
What challenges do you have to tackle moving forward?
It will be a challenge to miniaturize the system and secure clinical effectiveness.
Tell us about your clinical studies and the results.
- Uterine Fibroids/Adenomyosis: The ALPIUS 900 was approved for use in Korea based on positive results from a clinical trial of 50 cases of uterine fibroids and another clinical trial with 80 cases of uterine adenomyosis.
- Pancreatic Cancer: An exploratory clinical trial on 60 cases of pancreatic cancer using ALPIUS 900 is in progress.
What are the goals of the company going forward?
Developing noninvasive treatment devices that use ultrasound will drive the growth of our company.
Have you learned any lessons for watching the experience of the other companies?
We have been learning about histotripsy technology by watching other companies’ experience in developing it as a mechanism of action.
Do you partner with other companies?
No.
Is your system approved for commercial use in any markets? If so, how is it being used in these markets?
Our ALPIUS 900 focused ultrasound system is approved and used in Korea.
Which health conditions or diseases is your technology used for?
The ALPIUS 900 is currently used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.
Additional Resources
The Story of Dignity and Happiness made by Medical Innovation | Featuring Chief Engineer Kang, Kook Jin | ILJIN Group
Past Coverage
Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Begins in Korea October 2021
Uterine Fibroids: A Novel Approach to Treating with Focused Ultrasound January 2021
Meeting Report: RSNA 2020 December 2020
Foundation-Funded Research Update: Pulsed Focused Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer April 2020
Foundation Scientists Build Collaboration in Korea June 2015
Vendor Profile: Alpinion Medical Systems Offers a Pre-clinical Focused Ultrasound System September 2012
Alpinion Medical Systems has also been a long-time sponsor of the Foundation’s biennial International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound.