Yingnuo Medical Secures Tens of Millions in New Funding to Advance AI-Powered Gastroenterology Solutions

As spring returns to the earth and all things thrive, the field of AI-powered real-time assisted diagnosis and treatment in digestive endoscopy has seen a major breakthrough.

VCBeat has learned at the earliest opportunity,Xiamen Yingnuo Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yingnuo Medical")Recently completed a financing round led byYuanBio Venture CapitalLead Investor, New Silk Road Capital, Xiamen Jinyuan Investment GroupCo-investmentTens of millions of yuanFinancing. The funds raised will be used for product R&D and marketing.

Yingnuo Medical, established in 2017, is a pioneer in the field of real-time AI-assisted diagnosis for digestive endoscopy. Addressing the clinical needs of endoscopy centers in hospitals at all levels, the company leverages artificial intelligence to process digestive endoscopic imaging data, thereby alleviating the workload of endoscopists and improving the diagnostic efficiency of gastrointestinal lesions. This approach realizes both the economic benefits and social significance of AI technology in the realm of digestive endoscopic diagnosis.

Yingnuo Medical has long maintained a proactive stance as an “industry pioneer,” actively exploring and deeply cultivating this field. Its AI-assisted diagnostic product, “Yingnuo Eagle Eye,” is progressively achieving comprehensive coverage across the entire workflow of digestive endoscopy diagnosis and treatment, spanning multiple diseases and all clinical scenarios. The company received capital injections from Deyi Capital and Inno Angel Fund in 2019, and from Guohong Jiaxin Capital and Deyi Capital in 2021.

Real-Time AI-Assisted Digestive Endoscopy System“Yingnuo Eagle Eye”” is Yingnuo Medical’s flagship product, representing one of the world’s first platforms to leverage artificial intelligence for assisted endoscopic early cancer screening across the entire gastrointestinal tract, as well as one of the first clinically accessible AI solutions for digestive endoscopy.

The product’s core features include “lesion detection” and “surgical quality control.” It offers real-time alerts and auxiliary diagnostic capabilities for multiple diseases across the entire gastrointestinal tract, boasting industry-leading sensitivity and specificity. By providing quality control and procedural navigation during endoscopic examinations without requiring additional display equipment, its “embedded” design better aligns with clinicians’ workflow habits, thereby reducing the burden on endoscopists and enhancing the quality of endoscopic examinations.

In product design, technological refinement, and exploration of clinical needs, Yinuo Medical adheres to the philosophy of “taking physicians as mentors and patients as the core.” In addition to serving as a “professional exploration assistant” and “strict quality control assistant” for endoscopists, the company has drawn on insights from top endoscopy experts at multiple hospitals to exclusively develop a range of derivative functions and services for AI-assisted diagnostic support in endoscopic examinations, gradually forming a comprehensive AI solution for digestive endoscopy.

Yinuo Medical has long been committed to advancing scientific research collaborations with clinicians and actively incorporating genuine feedback from frontline physicians. In 2022, a multicenter randomized controlled study jointly published by seven top-tier endoscopy centers—including the Prince of Wales Hospital at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Beijing Friendship Hospital—in the prestigious international journal *Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology*, demonstrated that the Yinuo Eagle Eye system helped physicians increase the adenoma detection rate by 5%–10% in colonoscopies performed on over 3,000 asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, a study conducted by West China Hospital of Sichuan University and published in *Endoscopy*, a leading international journal in the field of endoscopy, revealed that the Yinuo Eagle Eye system achieved a detection precision of 2.6 mm for flat early-stage esophageal cancer. Additionally, Yinuo Medical continues to collaborate with the endoscopy centers of more than twenty premier hospitals, including Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, and Nanfang Hospital in Guangzhou, to carry out joint research on the application of artificial intelligence in digestive endoscopy.

“Yingnuo Eagle Eye” Facilitates “Early Detection, Early Diagnosis, and Early Treatment” of Gastrointestinal Tumors

Based on expert support and trust, as well as outstanding clinical validation results,Yingnuo Medical obtained a Class II medical device registration certificate in 2021., and continue to efficiently advance the approval of registration certificates for Class III medical devices. In 2023, Yinuo Medical will continue to strengthen its efforts in product registration, initiating the registration applications for multiple Class II and Class III medical devices, and building a product network for artificial intelligence in the field of digestive endoscopy-assisted diagnosis.

The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China explicitly stated: “Prioritize the protection of people’s health as a strategic priority for development.” The empowerment of application scenarios in healthcare and related fields by artificial intelligence technologies has sparked considerable attention and discussion among numerous industry experts.

The National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases (Shanghai), the National Quality Control Center for Digestive Endoscopy, the Endoscopist Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Digestive Endoscopy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association have consecutively released clinical guidelines, all of which have incorporated “AI-assisted endoscopic diagnosis” into expert consensus guidelines.

The Guidelines for the Standardized Construction of Gastroenterology Specialties in County-Level Hospitals (2021) states: “The equipment configuration of endoscopy centers in county-level hospitals must meet the requirements for medical service capabilities, achieving at least the basic standards; where conditions permit, it is recommended to achieve the recommended standards.” (“AI-assisted endoscopic diagnosis systems” are included as part of the recommended standards.)

“Expert Consensus on the Management Strategies for Precancerous Lesions and Precancerous Conditions of Colorectal Cancer in China” states: “Artificial intelligence-assisted recognition technology helps improve the detection rate of precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer, and is particularly suitable for primary healthcare institutions and physicians with limited operational experience.”

The inclusion of AI-assisted diagnosis in digestive endoscopy into clinical guidelines signifies:

• 1. The role of artificial intelligence in gastroenterology, and indeed across the entire medical field, is increasingly garnering attention from government agencies and medical experts;

• 2. Compared with the application of artificial intelligence in other medical imaging fields, AI-assisted diagnosis in digestive endoscopy is currently the first AI-based diagnostic aid to be included in clinical guidelines;

• 3. In the future, AI-assisted endoscopic diagnosis may become a routine diagnostic method, boasting broad market prospects.

As a pioneer and leader in AI-assisted diagnosis, Yingnuo Medical has delved deeply into the field of gastroenterology, leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to address critical pain points such as the severe imbalance between patients and endoscopists in China, the inconsistent quality of endoscopic equipment, and the low early detection rate of gastrointestinal cancers due to the difficulty in identifying early-stage lesions. By organically integrating artificial intelligence with digestive endoscopy, Yingnuo Medical is ushering in a new era and new hope for the early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers in China.

Yingnuo Medical’s core team comprises professors and PhDs from top universities and hospitals, including The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Xiamen University, and West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The company has also established in-depth collaborations with leading medical institutions and endoscopy experts both domestically and internationally.

Yingnuo Eagle Eye has entered the Chinese market.Over 200Auxiliary Examinations Across Hospitals at Different LevelsOver 200,000Example,No adverse events occurred., earning recognition and unanimous acclaim from experts at all levels.

Amidst fierce competition, those who strive forge ahead. Upholding the spirit of craftsmanship, Yingnuo Medical has been dedicated to relentless efforts since its establishment in 2017. Starting from humble beginnings, it has grown into a formidable enterprise, gradually securing a firm foothold in its niche market and earning recognition from numerous experts in the field of endoscopy, andReceived multiple titles and awards in 2022, including the National High-Tech Enterprise Certification.

Regarding this financing,Dr. Cheng Gang, Partner at YuanBio Venture Capitalstated: “Medical digitalization and intelligence have always been one of our key areas of focus. Yingnuo Medical has accumulated profound expertise and possesses strong R&D capabilities in the field of AI-based real-time auxiliary diagnosis for digestive endoscopy. The company places great emphasis on aligning its products with actual clinical needs, actively conducting clinical studies in collaboration with numerous renowned hospitals both domestically and internationally, and continuously refining and optimizing its offerings. In terms of commercial promotion, Yingnuo Medical is strategically positioning itself across multiple dimensions and attaches high importance to achieving long-term mutual success with relevant partners. We highly recognize the founder and core team for their clear thinking, pragmatic approach, and efficient execution. We are pleased to have reached this investment cooperation agreement with Yingnuo Medical and look forward to leveraging cost-effective intelligent auxiliary tools to tangibly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of digestive endoscopy diagnosis, thereby benefiting a broad patient population.”

Wang Maoting, Chairman of New Silk Road Capitalstated: “AI + healthcare is a key investment focus for us. China has a vast population of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, and the incidence of related tumors is high. Against this backdrop, we are highly optimistic about the opportunities arising from the integration of artificial intelligence with digestive endoscopy. The application of AI in digestive endoscopy not only improves the detection rate of GI tumors but also enhances the quality of endoscopic examinations and physicians’ diagnostic capabilities, thereby significantly addressing the supply–demand gap in digestive endoscopy services. We believe that through sustained R&D investment and extensive market deployment in AI-powered digestive endoscopy, Yinuo Medical can drive intelligent innovation and application in clinical GI examination scenarios, ultimately delivering more precise medical imaging diagnostic services to the broad population of patients with GI diseases.”

Relevant Person in Charge of Xiamen Guaranteestated: “First, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Yingnuo Medical on the successful completion of this round of financing. The City Guarantee Corporation has maintained a long-standing partnership with Yingnuo Medical. Our collaboration has evolved from credit facilities in 2020 to the current equity investment, during which mutual understanding has deepened and a stable, long-term relationship of trust has been established. Yingnuo Medical’s AI-powered real-time auxiliary diagnostic service for digestive endoscopy precisely addresses current clinical pain points, effectively enhances diagnostic efficiency and quality, and genuinely meets patient needs. It demonstrates strong practical applicability and distinct competitive advantages within its niche sector. We are honored to become one of Yingnuo Medical’s shareholders, supporting the company’s growth through financial means and progressing together. We believe that Yingnuo Medical will further expand its service coverage in the future, extending the benefits of its high-quality products to more patients and creating greater value for society.”

YuanBio Venture Capital is an investment firm focused on early-stage and growth-stage healthcare companies. Based in Suzhou BioBAY, it has a global reach. To date, YuanBio has invested in over 160 outstanding life sciences and health companies across four key sectors: innovative drug development, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics (IVD) and precision medicine, and healthcare services. The firm has achieved substantial investment returns, with 18 of its portfolio companies listed on capital markets such as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the STAR Market. YuanBio has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Top 10 venture capital funds in China’s healthcare sector and as one of the most active healthcare investment institutions in China. Bringing together seasoned professional investors and a world-class team of scientific advisors, YuanBio possesses extensive experience in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and corporate operations within the biopharmaceutical industry and beyond. Leveraging its professionalism, focus, and rich industry resources, YuanBio is committed to becoming one of the most successful healthcare and pharmaceutical venture capital funds in China.

New Silk Road Capital, established in 2015, is an equity investment management firm specializing in the healthcare and medical sectors. With the vision of becoming a “professionally respected capital management institution with international influence,” the firm adheres to its “Three Precision” investment philosophy: “boutique funds, carefully selected targets, and precise investments.” Focusing on biopharmaceuticals and healthcare-related fields, New Silk Road Capital is dedicated to investing in hard-tech projects that possess industry uniqueness, import substitution potential, and innovative monopolistic advantages, with the potential to become unicorns.

Xiamen Jinyuan Investment Group Co., Ltd. was established in 2011 as a municipal state-owned financial holding group, founded by the Xiamen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, with the Xiamen Municipal Finance Bureau as its sole contributor. The Group fulfills its triple mission of “integrating cross-strait relations, serving the real economy, and promoting inclusive livelihoods.” Its business segments cover financial services, industrial investment, and area development, and it has maintained an “AAA” credit rating for seven consecutive years. Currently, the Group holds 14 financial licenses spanning banking, securities, trust, consumer finance, public mutual funds, and financing guarantees; manages 13 municipal-level service platforms on an entrusted basis; and has developed over 200 financial service products covering the entire corporate lifecycle. It is committed to becoming a first-class comprehensive financial service provider in China.

Xiamen Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. is a member enterprise of Jinyuan Group. Established in 2000 as Xiamen’s first professional guarantee institution, it was founded by the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government to alleviate the difficulties and high costs of financing for small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in Xiamen and to promote the development of an SME service system. The company serves as the managing entity for the city’s credit enhancement fund and emergency loan repayment services. Xiamen Guarantee has constructed a guarantee system that integrates policy-oriented, industrial, and regional elements. Its investments span institutions engaged in microfinance, pawnbroking, equity custody, venture capital, and equity investment, thereby forming a comprehensive service chain for SMEs. Committed to providing full-lifecycle services, the company aims to build an integrated financial service platform dedicated to small and micro enterprises.