Olympus Korea and medical AI software developer Ainex Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday to expand the domestic distribution of ENAD, an AI-based endoscopic image analysis software. The partnership aims to combine Olympus’s extensive clinical network with Ainex’s deep-learning technology to better serve the AI in endoscopy market.
The agreement was finalized at Olympus Korea’s headquarters in southern Seoul by Managing Director Takeshi Tamai and Ainex CEO Lee Hang-hae. Under the deal, the two companies will collaborate on sales, marketing, and educational activities for medical professionals across South Korea.
ENAD is a real-time diagnostic assistance solution that uses AI to detect lesions during gastroscopy and colonoscopy. It is the first software in Korea to receive Class 3 medical device approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for both gastric and colonic applications.
The software is currently utilized in over 200 medical institutions nationwide and is compatible with multiple Olympus endoscopy platforms. In September, the ENAD CADx version passed an integrated review for innovative medical devices, making it eligible for full reimbursement under the national health insurance system.
“This MOU will enable broader adoption of ENAD in Korean clinical settings,” said Takeshi Tamai, managing director of Olympus Korea. “By combining ENAD’s AI technology with Olympus’s clinical network and educational infrastructure, we expect to improve both the efficiency and accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis.”
Beyond sales, the partnership includes product demonstrations, user training, and joint promotional activities at academic conferences and symposiums. Both firms intend to continue optimizing the ENAD software specifically for Olympus endoscopy systems to ensure seamless integration and higher diagnostic accuracy.
