[Chosun Ilbo] Without Radiation or Contrast Media... 'Magnetocardiography Scan' Finding Blocked Heart Vessels  - Interview with AMCG CEO Seo Yong-sung

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Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. More than half (56%) of heart diseases are 'ischemic heart diseases' where heart blood vessels are blocked and blood supply is not properly delivered. Quick diagnosis is the key to ischemic heart disease. In hospitals, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, cardiac CT, and coronary angiography are performed, but electrocardiograms and echocardiograms have lower diagnostic accuracy, CT carries the burden of radiation and contrast media exposure, and coronary angiography has a high physical burden because a catheter must be inserted into the heart by puncturing the wrist or thigh blood vessel. Recently, a 'Magnetocardiography (MCG) Scan' equipment with high accuracy and non-invasiveness has been developed and is attracting attention. The developer, AMCG, is a startup established in 2021, which received about 20 billion won (Series A and Series B) investment and was listed on KONEX last December. We met with AMCG CEO Seo Yong-sung.

-What is Magnetocardiography (MCG) Scan?

When the heart contracts and relaxes, tiny magnetic fields are generated from the heart muscle cells. This is called magnetocardiography. When there's a problem with the heart blood vessels and blood flow is not smooth, the heart muscle is damaged, causing subtle changes in the magnetocardiography. We scan these changes with a 'SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) sensor' to acquire magnetic field maps and current patterns of the entire heart region, and diagnose based on the 'pattern differences' from normal people. Pattern differences can be visualized and confirmed by color. The SQUID sensor our company possesses can measure ultra-fine magnetic signals at the level of one ten billionth of the Earth's magnetic field. Our developed magnetocardiography scan 'MCG-S' received item approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2022, and in 2024, it received 510K grade (pre-market approval) approval from the US FDA.

-What heart diseases can it diagnose?

Ischemic heart diseases such as angina are typical. Currently, clinical trials are being conducted at Gachon University Gil Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. The clinical trials are conducted by comparing the results of coronary angiography of angina patients with the results of magnetocardiography scans to confirm effectiveness. As it has received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, it falls under post-marketing clinical trials. It is also useful for early diagnosis of arrhythmia. In the case of arrhythmia, the accuracy of electrocardiogram tests is 56%, while magnetocardiography scans are 94%.

-Is it worth trying before 'coronary angiography', the confirmatory test for ischemic heart disease?

Coronary angiography is a test that examines the shape of the coronary arteries by inserting a catheter to the heart blood vessels and injecting radiographic contrast media at the blocked site. If a blocked coronary artery is confirmed, treatment is immediately performed to widen the blocked blood vessel by inserting a cardiac stent. However, only 35% of people who undergo coronary angiography get heart stents. The rest didn't need the physically burdensome coronary angiography. CT scans are commonly taken before coronary angiography, but to take a CT, you need to hold your breath for 15 seconds, which is quite difficult for the elderly in many cases. In the case of magnetocardiography scans, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ischemic heart disease are high at 90.5% and 92.3% respectively, it's non-invasive, and the examination time takes only 2-3 minutes, so it's worth trying before coronary angiography.

-What are the advantages of AMCG's magnetocardiography scan?

Magnetocardiography scans have recently been recognized as innovative medical devices (Genetisis company products) in the US and are attracting attention. Our company's magnetocardiography scan is the world's first 96-channel system, which increases the measurement area, allowing the entire heart to be photographed in one examination. Also, for the SQUID sensor to work well, a cooling process of -270 degrees Celsius is required, which uses helium. Helium is an expensive substance, so our company has developed a re-liquefaction system that re-liquefies evaporating helium for reuse, saving more than 700 million won annually. I expect it to be competitive in the global market as it has advantages in terms of sensor sensitivity and equipment economics.

-What are your future plans?

This year, we plan to apply for new medical technology assessment and in 2026, we will apply for coverage or non-coverage so that magnetocardiography scan tests can be easily received at hospitals. We plan to launch a slim product in 2026 for market expansion to health check-up centers. Our company has increased management transparency while preparing for KONEX listing. In the future, we will do our best to achieve the goals set by the company, operate according to global standards, and achieve sustainable growth with a united spirit among employees. Our goal is to transfer to KOSDAQ in 2027.

[Health Chosun Reporter Lee Keum-sook]