“A neurosurgeon can see the vessel. What they cannot see is the flow. That gap between structure and function is where treatment decisions are made. Hong Kong is where we take that insight to the world,” said Taerin Lee, CEO of NEAR Brain Inc.
“Two patients may show similar findings on a scan, yet their blood may be flowing quite differently, requiring different clinical approaches,” Lee added. “Without understanding how blood is actually moving, it is difficult to see the full picture.”
Established in South Korea in 2022, NEAR Brain develops AI solutions for cerebrovascular diseases. Its core product, Dr. NEAR flow, analyses medical imaging data to provide patient-specific, quantitative information about blood flow, including velocity and pressure.
Seeing what imaging alone cannot
Conditions such as stroke, aneurysms and arterial stenosis are major causes of death and disability worldwide, with a particularly significant burden across Asia. Conventional imaging primarily shows the structure and location of blood vessels, while providing limited patient-specific quantitative information about blood flow.
“Conventional imaging shows you the anatomy,” Lee explained. “Dr. NEAR flow adds information about the physiology.”
“The solution reconstructs three-dimensional cerebrovascular structures from magnetic resonance angiography images and analyses how blood flows through them, providing a more detailed view of each patient's condition. It is designed to generate these insights without additional invasive examinations or dedicated imaging equipment, using medical scans already captured by hospitals,” Lee added.
Presented through three-dimensional visualisation, the results are intended to support neurosurgeons and neurologists in diagnosis, treatment planning and preoperative assessment. By combining medical imaging, AI and quantitative analysis, NEAR Brain aims to contribute to a more patient-specific approach to cerebrovascular care.
Connecting Korean innovation with regional opportunities
In October 2025, NEAR Brain established NEAR Brain HK Limited as its regional office and overseas business base. The move reflects Hong Kong’s position at the intersection of Korean innovation, clinical opportunities and international capital.
“Korea has strong medical AI engineering capabilities,” Lee noted. “Hong Kong offers the connectivity and business environment needed to take that innovation into regional and global markets. We came here to build a bridge, not simply to open a sales office.”
From Hong Kong, NEAR Brain is developing relationships with hospitals, healthcare organisations, technology partners and investors. The company sees particular opportunities for clinical collaboration and business development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while using the city’s international platform to engage with partners across Asia and beyond.
Building partnerships for adoption
Over the next 12 months, NEAR Brain expects to expand its Hong Kong office team gradually according to operational needs, particularly in business development, clinical partnerships and commercialisation.
Since establishing its presence in Hong Kong, NEAR Brain has engaged with InvestHK for information on the local business environment, available resources and opportunities for business development. “They have been a genuine connector,” Lee stated. “Through their network, we've met investors and industry partners who are relevant to our next stage of growth, particularly as we pursue strategic investment for clinical validation and commercialisation.”
“As we scale in the region, we hope to build long-term partnerships in Hong Kong and contribute to the development and adoption of AI-enabled healthcare technologies,” Lee concluded.
13.10.2026
