Bertis Selected for Korea’s Scale-Up TIPS Program to Advance SURF, Its AI-Based Drug Target Discovery Platform- Secures KRW 3 billion in government R&D funding following a recommendation from Samsung Venture Investment and a competitive evaluation, underscoring its proteomics capabilities and supporting its expansion into drug target discovery- Accelerates its expansion into the global drug discovery and development market with technology for discovering and validating novel targets based on surfaceome analysis, an increasingly important area for global pharmaceutical companies[Image] Bertis and Scale-Up TIPS logosBertis,a proteomics technology platform company (co-CEOs Dong-young Noh and Seung-man Han), announced that it has been selected for the Specialized Type of Scale-Up TIPS, a program administered by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA).Scale-Up TIPS is a program that supports technological advancement and commercialization for growth-stage, technology-intensive SMEs and venture companies by linking private investment with government research and development (R&D) funding. The Specialized Type involves specialized operators with expertise in nationally strategic technology fields, including biotechnology. Drawing on its proteomics capabilities and commercialization track record, Bertis received a recommendation from Samsung Venture Investment, a Samsung-affiliated corporate venture capital (CVC) firm, and was selected following a competitive evaluation among companies recommended by investors.Through the program, Bertis will receive KRW 3 billion in government R&D funding over three years, through August 2029, to further advance SURF through a project focused on developing a novel drug target discovery platform based on surfaceome analysis. By enhancing the platform’s end-to-end workflow, from data generation and target discovery to validation and target package development, Bertis aims to continuously identify and validate novel targets and target combinations, build a portfolio of these assets, and strengthen its position as a drug discovery and development partner to global pharmaceutical companies.SURF leverages Bertis’s accumulated expertise in proteomics and AI to discover novel cell surface protein targets and help mitigate risks in therapeutic development from the target selection stage onward. By generating proteomic data in-house, the platform is designed to integrate candidate discovery, prioritization, and validation, along with the generation of evidence to support further development, into a single workflow. In particular, SURF extends its analysis beyond individual surface proteins to include proteins in close proximity, generating evidence that can support the development of next-generation therapeutics, including bispecific and multispecific antibodies designed to target multiple proteins located near one another.Through this project, Bertis will build a surfaceome database covering cell lines from a range of cancer types and validate the expression profiles and functions of novel target candidates at the cellular and tissue levels. The company then plans to develop drug target packages incorporating validated targets and their binding ligands, providing pharmaceutical companies with resources they can use to develop a range of therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies.Cell surface proteins are important targets for a range of therapeutic modalities, including ADCs and bispecific antibodies, and are attracting growing interest in drug discovery and development. However, clinical-stage ADC pipelines have become concentrated on a limited number of major surface protein targets. As a result, global pharmaceutical companies are increasingly seeking differentiated novel targets, together with experimental data and validation evidence to assess their development potential and suitability for different therapeutic modalities. Bertis aims to address this demand by providing target packages supported by experimental validation data and expanding commercialization through collaborative research and technology transfer with pharmaceutical companies.“Surfaceome research is a key area for the development of next-generation therapeutics and is attracting significant attention from the global pharmaceutical industry,” said Seung-man Han, co-CEO of Bertis. “With our selection for the Specialized Type of Scale-Up TIPS, we will further advance SURF and strengthen our position in the surfaceome-based drug target discovery market. We aim to contribute to the competitiveness of Korea’s biotech industry by enabling targets discovered in Korea to become the starting point for global drug development.”In July, Bertis unveiled SURF for the first time at the MSD Health Innovation Summit, co-hosted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) and MSD Korea, where it earned a Judges’ Selection.

Bertis Participates in 2026 Pink Run for Fourth Consecutive Year to Promote Regular Breast Cancer Screening- Sponsors the event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, sharing the importance of regular screening and available testing options with the public- MASTOCHECK®, the world’s first commercialized proteomics-based blood test for early breast cancer detection, continues to promote the value of early detection by encouraging regular screeningPhoto:Attendees take part in an event at the Bertis MASTOCHECK booth during the 2026 Pink Run.Bertis, a proteomics technology platform company (co-CEOs Dong-young Noh and Seung-man Han), announced that it participated in the 2026 Pink Run, held at World Cup Park in Seoul on October 11. At the event, Bertis introduced MASTOCHECK®, its blood test for early breast cancer detection, and raised awareness of the importance of regular breast cancer screening. The company has participated in the event for four consecutive years since 2023.Launched in 2001 and now in its 26th edition, the Pink Run is part of the Pink Ribbon Campaign, which aims to raise awareness of breast health and encourage regular breast cancer screening. This year’s event was co-hosted by the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation, the Korean Breast Cancer Society, the Korean Cancer Association, and the Seoul Foundation of Women & Family. Approximately 5,000 participants, who registered on a first-come, first-served basis, took part in the 10 km and 5 km races. All participation fees were donated to the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation to support breast cancer prevention and treatment programs.As a sponsor of the event in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Bertis operated a promotional booth where visitors could learn about the importance of regular breast cancer screening, available testing options, and MASTOCHECK through an interactive quiz. Since first participating in 2023, Bertis has continued to operate a booth every year, maintaining its efforts to raise awareness of regular breast cancer screening as the event has grown.MASTOCHECK is the world’s first commercially available proteomics-based blood test for early breast cancer detection, developed by Bertis. In 2019, it received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety following validation of its diagnostic performance for stage 0–II breast cancer. The test is currently available at more than 650 hospitals and health screening centers nationwide. As a blood-based test, MASTOCHECK does not involve radiation exposure.“Alongside developing new technologies and bringing meaningful innovation to clinical practice, we believe it is important to ensure that these technologies translate into better health management and earlier disease detection, ultimately benefiting more people,” said Seung-man Han, co-CEO of Bertis. “Through MASTOCHECK, we aim to contribute to the early detection of breast cancer while continuing to help create an environment where more women can take an active interest in their breast health and undergo regular screening.”

Bertis Signs MOU with Accelerator Platform of Precision Medicine at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital for Joint Research on Therapeutic Target Discovery and Validation- Collaboration to validate SURF-based candidate targets using patient-derived tissue and clinical and pathological data- Establishing a research framework connecting target discovery, patient-level validation and follow-up research to drug developmentPhoto: Bertis Co-CEO Seung-man Han (left) and Myung-geun Shin, Director of the Accelerator Platform of Precision Medicine at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held at Bertis' headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on September 10.Bertis, a proteomics technology platform company (co-CEOs Dong-young Noh and Seung-man Han), announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Accelerator Platform of Precision Medicine (APP) at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital (Director Myung-geun Shin) to conduct joint research on the discovery and validation of therapeutic targets using patient-derived clinical resources and proteomic technologies.Under the MOU, Bertis and APP will pursue joint research to discover and validate therapeutic targets for cancer and other major diseases. The two organizations plan to use patient-derived human biospecimens and de-identified clinical and pathological data to assess candidate targets' expression characteristics in patient tissues, disease relevance and clinical significance, while leveraging Bertis' SURF-based proteomic technology for therapeutic target discovery and analysis. They will also pursue academic publication and use of the research findings, while exploring opportunities for follow-up research and commercialization for promising results.The agreement establishes a research framework through which candidate targets discovered through Bertis' drug target discovery platform, SURF, can be validated at the patient level. The research will expand beyond identifying novel therapeutic target candidates through cell-line-based analysis to evaluating whether candidate targets demonstrate meaningful expression characteristics and disease relevance in actual patients by linking patient tissues with clinical and pathological data.SURF is a platform that generates and analyzes data on proteins located on and near the surface of cancer cells to identify novel therapeutic target candidates. Through AI-based analysis and experimental validation, the platform develops these candidates into drug target packages that can be advanced through joint research or licensing. Cell-surface proteins can serve as targets for a range of therapeutic modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies, making them an important area of focus in drug target discovery and development.APP serves as a collaborative hub connecting Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital's clinical and research resources and precision medicine research infrastructure with corporate R&D. Notably, the hospital's Non-Clinical Trial Center was recently designated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) institution for non-clinical studies in the pharmaceutical field, providing a foundation for conducting key non-clinical studies under a quality management system that meets international standards. Building on this MOU, the two organizations plan to discuss the scope of individual research projects, the use of samples and data, research funding and the division of responsibilities, with the goal of strengthening the continuity of research from novel target discovery through patient-level validation and follow-up research on promising candidates."Validating whether a drug target has the potential to function as a meaningful therapeutic target in actual patients is just as important as discovering new candidates," said Seung-man Han, CEO of Bertis. "Through this collaboration, we aim to combine Bertis' proteomics-based target discovery capabilities with the clinical research resources of Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital to discover and validate more reliable therapeutic targets and generate outcomes that can advance drug development and lead to follow-up commercialization."

Bertis Earns Judges’ Selection at the MSD Health Innovation Summit,Debuts AI-Based Drug Target Discovery Platform ‘SURF’- Only company in the drug development sector selected by the judging panel as one of the three winners at the summit- Debuts an AI-based target discovery platform built on the surfaceome, one of the fastest-moving areas in the global biopharma market- Pairs proprietary experimental data with AI analysis in an evidence-based discovery model that judges flagged as ready for global pharma collaborationBertis,a proteomics technology platform company (co-CEOs Dong-young Noh and Seungman Han), announced that it earned a judging panel selection at the MSD Health Innovation Summit, co-hosted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) and MSD Korea. Bertis used the stage to introduce SURF, its AI-based platform for therapeutic target discovery and validation.Eight companies cleared pre-screening and pitched at the summit. Bertis claimed one of three judges’ selections and stood alone as the only target discovery platform company on the list. Judges credited the proteomics capabilities Bertis has built and validated through its cancer detection solutions and protein analysis services, and singled out a platform that lifts both the efficiency and the probability of success in drug development.Held on July 14, this year’s summit ran under the theme “Next-Generation Healthcare Powered by Evidence-Based AI: From Prevention to Personalized Care.” The judging panel assembled experts from KHIDI and MSD Korea, along with the Global Health Innovation Fund (GHIF), MSD’s venture capital arm; IDEA Studio, MSD’s innovation team for the Asia Pacific region; and HITLAB, a Columbia University-based global healthcare innovation platform that advises on digital health solutions.SURF generates and analyzes cancer cell surface and proximity protein data to uncover novel therapeutic target candidates, then converts them through AI analysis and experimental validation into partner-ready target packages for co-development or licensing. Instead of drawing from known candidate lists, the platform hunts for novel targets and maps surface and proximity proteins to weigh each candidate on surface accessibility, disease relevance, normal tissue expression risk, and modality fit, then ranks the results into a prioritized shortlist. That output feeds directly into modalities such as ADCs, bispecific antibodies and more. SURF pairs hands-on experimental data generation with AI analysis and validation studies, complementing in silico-driven approaches and grading developability at every step.Global pharmaceutical companies have moved aggressively into target discovery aimed at the cell surface proteome, or surfaceome. In January, DISCO Pharmaceuticals licensed a novel surface protein target to Amgen, and InduPro signed a multispecific antibody oncology co-development deal with Eli Lilly, worth up to $618 million and $950 million respectively. Both deals establish surface proteins and protein proximity data as a critical starting point for next-generation therapeutics including ADCs and bispecific antibodies. Bertis now combines its proprietary AI analysis engine with proteomics data generation and clinical specimen-based validation, covering the full path from surface target discovery to target packaging ready for co-research and licensing talks.“Global pharmaceutical companies and investment and research experts filled the room, and they recognized the innovation behind our proteomics-based target discovery platform,” said Seung-man Han, CEO of Bertis. “We confirmed how strongly the field needs surfaceome-driven target discovery. We will build on SURF to expand joint research and licensing partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies.”

Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Bertis Forge Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Cancer Drug Discovery through Molecular AI and Spatial ProteomicsNASHVILLE, TN and GWACHEON, SOUTH KOREA — March 5, 2026 — Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Bertis, an AI-driven proteomics-based precision medicine company led by co-CEOs Dong-young Noh and Seung-man Han, today announced a joint research and co-development collaboration. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in oncology by advancing the convergence of artificial intelligence, spatial biology, and translational cancer research through VUMC’s Molecular AI Initiative. By integrating VUMC’s Molecular AI capabilities with Bertis’ proprietary deep proteomics and AI-enabled target discovery technologies, the partnership will build an advanced, spatially resolved dataset to identify novel therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers.The collaboration centers on the transformative power of AI-driven spatial biology and Molecular AI. Traditional target discovery often relies on bulk tissue analysis, which loses the critical context of how cells are organized within a tumor. VUMC’s Molecular AI approach changes this paradigm by employing sophisticated computational spatial analysis to generate high-resolution spatial molecular maps. This AI-driven spatial biology allows researchers to visualize and decode the complex architecture of the tumor microenvironment, specifically identifying how tumor, immune, and stromal cells interact in biologically and therapeutically relevant regions. By mapping the precise locations and spatial relationships of these cells, the Molecular AI platform can isolate the key cell populations responsible for treatment response or resistance.These advanced spatial insights are then seamlessly integrated with Bertis’ cutting-edge proteomics capabilities. While VUMC maps the critical spatial context, Bertis will conduct deep proteomic and metabolomic profiling, applying its proprietary AI-enabled computational models to prioritize the most viable, druggable targets. The initial focus of this joint research will be on HER2-low tumors, a historically challenging clinical area, with the potential to expand into additional tumor types based on data outcomes and joint scientific discussions. By layering spatial context over proteome-level data, the teams aim to pinpoint cell-surface proteins that are uniquely positioned for emerging therapeutic modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and cell-based therapies.This sophisticated AI-driven spatial multimodal and deep proteomics pipeline is spearheaded by Tae Hyun Hwang, PhD, the Endowed Director of AI Research, Founding Director of the Molecular AI Initiative, and Professor of Surgery at VUMC. Recognized as a leader in spatial AI and Molecular AI, Dr. Hwang also co-leads gastric cancer atlas efforts within the NCI-funded Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN) and is spearheading international HTAN collaborations with South Korea’s National Cancer Center. Highlighting the clinical necessity of this integrated approach, Dr. Hwang said, “Identifying therapeutic targets and understanding treatment response require a precise view of proteins, spatial context, and tumor biology. By combining VUMC’s Molecular AI and spatial analysis capabilities with Bertis’ proteomics and AI-enabled target discovery platform, this collaboration is designed to generate high-confidence therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers that can support future translational research and therapeutic development”.Seung-man Han, CEO of Bertis, emphasized that the alliance accelerates the global reach of their platform. “Partnering with VUMC, a leading U.S. academic medical center with strong expertise in Molecular AI, spatial biology, and cancer research, is highly meaningful and reflects the growing global recognition of Bertis’ technological capabilities,” stated Mr. Han. “Through this collaboration, we aim to expand the role of AI-driven proteomics in drug discovery and identify therapeutic targets that may open new possibilities in oncology”. Ultimately, this joint endeavor reflects a shared commitment to building a more precise, biologically informed approach to cancer drug discovery.