Ankon

ANKON Technologies commercialized magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy, with the company describing itself as the first to bring this technology to market. Founded in 2009 by a team of engineers who began developing robotic capsule endoscopy technologies in Silicon Valley, ANKON has built a focused product portfolio around non-invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics.

Company Overview

ANKON emerged from a vision to transform gastric examination through magnetic control technology. The founding team, led by CEO Xiao Guohua and Chairman Ji Pengsong, brought expertise from companies including Huawei and Tsinghua University’s nuclear technology division. The company received early support through Wuhan’s 3551 Talent Program with RMB 5 million in grants, enabling the transformation of laboratory concepts into commercial products.

The core innovation lies in precise magnetic field control combined with advanced optical imaging. Unlike passive capsule endoscopes that rely on natural peristalsis, ANKON’s system allows physicians to actively navigate the capsule through the stomach using an external robotic arm generating magnetic fields up to 200 mT. This breakthrough enabled full gastric visualization for the first time via capsule technology.

In 2019, ANKON established a commercial partnership with U.S.-based AnX Robotica to expand market reach and continue product development. This collaboration has supported regulatory approvals and clinical adoption across North America and Europe.

Core Products

NaviCam Magnetically Controlled Capsule Gastroscope System

The flagship product consists of a 5-gram swallowable capsule (11.8mm × 27mm), a C-arm magnetic guidance robot, a data recorder, and computer workstation with real-time visualization software. The system enables complete stomach examination in approximately 15 minutes without sedation or intubation.

Technical specifications have evolved across three generations: first-generation capsules captured images at 480×480 pixels and 2 fps; second-generation improved to 720×720 pixels at 8 fps; the current third-generation achieves 640×480 pixels at up to 12 fps with enhanced image quality.

NaviCam Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy System

Expanding beyond gastric applications, this system provides visualization of small bowel mucosa for detecting abnormalities including bleeding sources. The product received FDA 510(k) clearance based on demonstrated equivalence to established predicate devices.

NaviCam ProScan AI-Assisted Reading Software

A deep neural network-based system for automated lesion detection during capsule endoscopy review. Clinical studies demonstrate reduction of average reading time from 90 minutes to under 6 minutes, while improving detection sensitivity from 76.9% to 99.9%.

Vibrant Capsule (蔚通胶囊)

A therapeutic vibrating capsule system for constipation treatment using purely physical stimulation to promote intestinal motility. This NMPA-approved Class III medical device represents the first of its kind globally.

Technology & Innovation

Founded to make gastric examination non-invasive, ANKON Technologies operates a platform of over 600 patents spanning magnetic capsule control, AI lesion detection, and real-time image processing.

ANKON’s intellectual property portfolio exceeds 600 global patents, with more than half being invention patents. Core technologies span:

• Precision magnetic control enabling five-dimensional capsule manipulation
• Proprietary magnetic sensor technology eliminating need for X-ray verification of capsule passage
• Real-time wireless image transmission and processing
• AI-powered lesion detection algorithms
• Modular system design for various clinical settings

The 2025 release of an intelligent modular system further advances the platform with enhanced AI quality control generating standardized reports and enabling quantitative assessment of examination quality.

Market Presence

The NaviCam system operates in nearly 1,000 medical institutions across all 31 provinces and autonomous regions in China. International expansion has reached the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. The U.S. market is served through partner AnX Robotica.

In 2019, ANKON demonstrated the first 5G remote magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy operation, witnessed by 367 hospital directors and physicians. This capability has since been developed into mobile examination vehicles for community-based screening programs.

Clinical evidence includes multi-center randomized controlled trials conducted at leading Chinese hospitals including Changhai Hospital and PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital), demonstrating diagnostic accuracy of 93.4% and sensitivity of 90.4% compared to conventional endoscopy.

Key Milestones

• 2009: Company founded in Wuhan
• 2012: Strategic investment from Tongsheng Capital
• 2013: First CFDA (now NMPA) approval for magnetically controlled capsule gastroscope system
• 2017: Listed among China’s unicorn companies with $1 billion valuation
• 2019: First 5G remote capsule gastroscopy demonstration; partnership with AnX Robotica
• 2020: FDA De Novo approval for NaviCam stomach system (first magnetically controlled capsule endoscope cleared in U.S.)
• 2022: FDA 510(k) clearance for NaviCam Small Bowel system
• 2023: FDA De Novo approval for NaviCam ProScan AI software (first AI-assisted capsule reading system cleared in U.S.)
• 2024: NMPA approval for Vibrant therapeutic capsule
• 2025: Launch of intelligent modular magnetically controlled capsule endoscope system

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ankon publicly traded?

ANKON submitted an application for listing on the Shanghai STAR Market (科创板) in 2019 but subsequently withdrew. The company remains privately held with cumulative venture funding of approximately $100 million from investors including SB China Venture Capital, Dazhong Investment, Qiansheng Investment, and Houxin Health Investment.

How does NaviCam compare to traditional gastroscopy?

Multi-center clinical trials demonstrate diagnostic accuracy comparable to conventional endoscopy with significantly improved patient comfort. The non-invasive procedure requires no sedation and carries no risk of cross-infection from reusable equipment. However, unlike traditional endoscopy, capsule systems cannot perform biopsies or therapeutic interventions.

What is the price of NaviCam capsule gastroscopy?

Based on 2018 company disclosures, the NaviCam system equipment was priced at approximately RMB 551,000, with individual capsules at RMB 1,096 each. Patient examination costs at medical facilities typically range from RMB 3,000 to RMB 5,000 depending on location and facility type.