South Korea-based genomics company GC Genome debuted on the KOSDAQ market on June 11, following a successful IPO that attracted strong interest from global investors.
The IPO was the second-largest among tech-special listings in South Korea this year, with an institutional subscription ratio of 547.5 to 1. Retail investors poured in more than KRW 2.54 trillion (approx. $1.84 billion) in deposits, with a 484.1 to 1 competition rate.
Established in 2013 as a subsidiary of GC Biopharma, GC Genome provides clinical genomic diagnostics, offering more than 300 testing services—from routine health screenings and prenatal tests to cancer diagnostics and rare disease analysis—through a network of over 900 hospitals and clinics. Its key products include iCancerCheck, a multi-cancer early detection test, and G-NIPT, Korea’s top non-invasive prenatal screening product.
The company leverages the logistics infrastructure of its affiliate GC Cell to provide a same-day sample transport system, enabling faster turnaround times and operational efficiency.
IPO proceeds will support the development of diagnostics for additional cancer types and full-cycle cancer care, while also fueling overseas expansion—particularly into Japan and the United States.
Earlier this year, GC Genome secured a Japanese patent for its AI-based liquid biopsy technology analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for early cancer detection. In April, the company launched iCancerCheck in Japan in partnership with GC Lymphotech, a local affiliate. The Japanese early detection market is estimated to be worth around KRW 3 trillion (approx. $2.2 billion).
In 2023, GC Genome licensed its liquid biopsy-based technology to U.S.-based Genece Health. The technology has gained international recognition, with a related study on AI-enabled early lung cancer detection published in the journal Cancer Research.
Ki Chang Seok, CEO of GC Genome, said, “We are deeply grateful for the support we've received throughout the IPO process. We will continue expanding into markets like Japan and the U.S., and strive to redefine the future of early cancer detection globally.”
