[Life Chapter 3 Companies] "Could It Be Me?" Early Detection and Treatment of Dementia Digitally with 'Imocog'

Noh Yuhun Imokog Co-CEO

"Which words belong to school supplies?"

"Press the number associated with the symbol below."

These are questions you can see when operating 'Cogthera,' a cognitive therapy software developed by the dementia solution startup 'Imocog.' On the 23rd of last month, we met with Noh Yooheon, CEO of Imocog (43), at their office in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. Demonstrating the software, he explained, "It is a customized cognitive training provided for patients with mild cognitive impairment that can strengthen neural networks in the brain."

Imocog is a startup developing digital therapeutics for cognitive impairment. CEO Noh, a former professor at Chung-Ang University Medical School, founded the company in 2021 together with Professor Lee Jun-young of Seoul National University Medical School's Department of Psychiatry, and they have been co-CEOs for three years. Imocog has been recognized for its expertise and growth potential, receiving a cumulative investment of 18 billion KRW from Naver D2SF, Kakao Ventures, Stonebridge Ventures, Green Cross Holdings, SV Investment, and others.

Noh Yooheon, CEO of Imocog, is showing the cognitive function test app developed by the company. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

- Please introduce Imocog.

▲ We are a bio digital healthcare platform company. Specifically, we develop dementia solutions covering the entire cycle from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Currently, it takes over a year, including the time to schedule and wait for a medical appointment, to get diagnosed with dementia. We aim to overcome this limitation through 'digital transformation' so that patients can be diagnosed quickly and easily, and help them recover brain health to maintain a self-directed and independent life for as long as possible. While many digital healthcare companies are expanding the range of diseases they handle, we focus specifically on dementia patients.

- What did you do before starting the business? What motivated you to start it?

▲ I majored in biology during my bachelor's degree and studied neuroanatomy in graduate school. While studying neuroanatomy, I became increasingly interested in the process of memory formation and learning procedures. After graduation, I taught anatomy at a university but have since quit. I wanted to engage in business that creates practical products for patients. Although I switched fields to business, I still consider myself a researcher. Forty percent of our entire staff hold PhDs.

- What are your representative business models?

▲ First, there is a digital testing service called 'MemoryKkokKkok' and a cognitive therapy software called 'Cogthera.' MemoryKkokKkok helps detect cognitive decline early. It comprehensively evaluates memory and executive function, which are the cognitive areas most affected first by dementia, along with subjective cognitive decline and depressive symptoms. As long as the app is installed on a smartphone, cognitive decline can be assessed in five minutes without spatial or expert constraints. The test was developed after extensive research by a group of experts including psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, and has undergone hundreds of user tests to create a senior-friendly user design so that elderly people who find digital devices difficult can easily use it. Immediately after the test, a report is provided showing brain health status as a score, along with recommendations for improving daily living skills and lifestyle habits for brain health. It is available in five languages: German, English, Japanese, Thai, and Korean.

- What about Cogthera?

▲ Cogthera is a therapy service that provides cognitive training through verbal interaction with patients. Based on technology, it automatically generates content to measure the patient's cognitive ability and offers training at an appropriate difficulty level. It received certification as an innovative medical device this year. There is also 'CogCheck,' a service that can diagnose dementia through blood tests. Currently, dementia diagnosis requires imaging analysis at large hospitals, which makes the diagnosis process very slow. Moreover, accessibility to large hospitals is limited for some people, which is an even bigger problem. Within the next five years, the global trend will shift from imaging to blood testing. If we develop reagents that detect pathological substances causing dementia, testing will be possible even at primary care hospitals. Our goal is to simplify the diagnostic process and shorten the time required as much as possible.

- Recently, you acquired a company that creates ADHD test sheets.

▲ Yes. We acquired 'HappyMind,' which produces the Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT) sheets known as ADHD tests, in the first quarter of this year and made it a wholly owned subsidiary. Through this, we plan to expand testing services for the elderly. HappyMind also conducts tests related to learning disabilities as well as attention and concentration, so it will create significant synergy with Imocog's digital therapeutic capabilities.

- It is known that dementia can only be prevented but not cured. What is your view on this?

▲ It means slowing down the progression. Recently, antibody therapeutics that slow the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia have been developed. These therapeutics reduce the dementia-causing substances in the brain. However, even if the causative substances are removed, functional rehabilitation is necessary to improve memory. Cogthera, developed by Imocog, helps by increasing the 'cognitive reserve' to support functional rehabilitation. Using the brain extensively to build cognitive reserve can slow the progression to dementia. Medically, patients with mild cognitive impairment can live independently. Our goal is to extend the period during which they can live independently. We are currently conducting clinical trials, which are expected to be completed by January next year.

- What feedback have you received from users during the clinical trials?

▲ A caregiver who participated in the clinical trial for several months gave feedback saying, "Previously, I was anxious to let the patient go outside alone, but recently, cognitive function has improved enough to feel safe, and the habit of repeating words has decreased." Also, adherence (the extent to which patients actually use the therapy) was high at about 80%. The trial, initially planned for three months, was extended by several months at the users' request.

- Since IT technology is important for your company, you must need a lot of investment. What are your investment plans?

▲ We received our second investment in March last year and are planning to raise Series B funding soon. We are considering going public around the year after next.

- Do you have any goals you want to achieve soon?

▲ After the clinical trial of Cogthera ends next year, we plan to officially launch it in Korea and Germany. We already have a branch in Germany and are currently awaiting results from our application to register with DiGA, Germany's digital therapeutic device reimbursement system. We also plan to increase sales to two to three times this year's level. Sales are expected to be about 3 billion KRW this year, with a target of 5 to 8 billion KRW next year.

Noh Yooheon, CEO of Imocog. At the headquarters in Gwacheon City, he is showing and talking about a LEGO sculpture made by employees in teams as a symbol of the company's vision. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@