KFBIO

KFBIO commands over 40% market share in China’s digital pathology scanner segment, with more than 2,000 devices deployed across hospitals in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Founded by a team of returnees from Japan with expertise in precision motion control and image processing, the company has built an end-to-end digital pathology ecosystem spanning hardware scanners, AI diagnostic algorithms, and cloud-based telepathology platforms.

Company Overview

Established in August 2011 in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, KFBIO (Konfoong Bioinformation Tech Co., Ltd.) emerged from the convergence of medical imaging technology and precision engineering. The founding team includes two recipients of China’s “Thousand Talents Program” and one Zhejiang Province “Thousand Talents” honoree, bringing collective experience exceeding 20 years in image processing and precise motion control systems.

The company operates four R&D centers across China and maintains strategic collaborations with Intel, Huawei, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and the China Maternal and Child Health Association. With R&D personnel comprising over 50% of its 200+ workforce, KFBIO invests approximately 30% of annual revenue into technology development.

KFBIO’s client roster includes premier institutions such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Hospital, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, and KingMed Diagnostics. The company has established more than 175 telepathology platforms globally, including international connections linking Xiangya Hospital with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Zhejiang University’s Second Affiliated Hospital with the Chinese American Pathologists Association (CAPA).

Core Products

Digital Pathology Slide Scanners

KFBIO’s scanner portfolio encompasses three main series designed for different throughput requirements:

KF-PRO Series: The flagship line featuring magnetic levitation motor drive technology achieving 50nm positioning accuracy. These scanners complete a 15mm×15mm slide at 20× magnification within 15 seconds, with 99.85% scanning success rate. Available in 5-slide, 20-slide, and 400-slide configurations supporting both brightfield and fluorescence imaging.

KF-PRX Series: High-throughput scanners designed for large-scale laboratory operations, offering 150-slide to 1,200-slide capacity with continuous loading capability for 24/7 operation. Resolution reaches 0.25μm/pixel at 20× and 0.125μm/pixel at 40× magnification.

KF-FL Series: Dedicated fluorescence scanners for research applications including tumor microenvironment studies, FISH analysis, and molecular typing. Features include 10nm minimum spectral band resolution and active refrigeration SCMOS cameras.

Pathology AI Systems

KFBIO’s AI products use deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) developed in collaboration with Intel:

Cervical Cancer AI Screening System: Achieved NMPA Class II certification in 2019. The system analyzes liquid-based cytology samples, automatically detecting and grading lesion cells while providing whole-slide quality assessment. Clinical deployments have completed hundreds of thousands of screenings, with AI filtering 50-70% of negative cases to reduce pathologist workload.

Tuberculosis AI Detection System: Also NMPA-certified in 2019, this system digitizes sputum smear microscopy slides and applies DL algorithms to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis, reducing infection risk to laboratory personnel while improving detection throughput.

Telepathology Platform

The K-Viewer software and remote consultation platform enable pathologists to review, annotate, and share digital slides across desktop, smartphone, and tablet devices. The platform supports DICOM-compliant image formats for direct integration with hospital information systems.

Technology & Innovation

KFBIO’s technical differentiation centers on precision motion control and AI-accelerated image analysis:

• Magnetic Levitation Motor: Eliminates mechanical wear, achieving nanometer-level positioning accuracy and quieter operation
• K-SCP Color Processing: Proprietary algorithm restoring original color temperature, saturation, and contrast while compensating for display variations
• Line Scanning Technology: Enables high-speed whole slide imaging with consistent focus across the entire tissue section
• Intel Optimization: AI inference performance improved 11.4× through collaboration with Intel engineers optimizing PyTorch code for Intel Xeon Scalable processors

The company holds 245+ software and hardware patents and maintains EN ISO 13485:2016 certification for medical device quality management.

Market Presence

KFBIO’s domestic market leadership stems from early entry into China’s digital pathology transformation. Key metrics include:

• 40%+ market share in China’s digital pathology scanner market
• 2,000+ scanners deployed globally
• 175+ telepathology platforms established
• Presence in 40+ countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas

International partnerships include distributors in South Korea (Shinhan Scientific), participation in USCAP conferences in the United States, and cervical cancer screening projects planned for hundreds of thousands of women in Brazil.

Key Milestones

• 2011: Company established in Yuyao, Zhejiang
• 2013: Digital pathology scanner registered as CFDA Class II medical device
• 2014: CE Certificate obtained for high-precision slide scanners
• 2016: Series A financing; certified as National High-tech Enterprise
• 2018: EN ISO 13485:2016 certification; Intel-KFBIO AI Joint Laboratory established
• 2019: NMPA certification for Cervical Cancer and TB AI screening systems
• 2020: Series B financing led by Intel Capital (>CNY 100M)
• 2022: Series C financing led by WisdoMont Asset Management (>CNY 100M)
• 2024: Digital pathology scanners upgraded to CE-IVDR certification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is KFBIO’s market position in China?

KFBIO holds the leading position with over 40% market share in China’s digital pathology scanner segment. The company has deployed more than 1,500 devices operating daily within China and established 175+ remote pathology diagnostic platforms.

Does KFBIO offer AI-powered diagnostic solutions?

Yes. KFBIO offers NMPA-certified AI systems for cervical cancer screening and tuberculosis detection, both receiving regulatory approval in 2019. These systems have been deployed in large-scale population screening programs across China.

What regulatory certifications do KFBIO products hold?

KFBIO’s digital pathology scanners are registered as CFDA/NMPA Class II medical devices in China and hold CE-IVD/CE-IVDR certification for European markets. The company maintains EN ISO 13485:2016 quality management certification.

Who are KFBIO’s major investors?

KFBIO has completed three funding rounds totaling over CNY 200 million. Intel Capital led the Series B round in 2020, and WisdoMont Asset Management led the Series C round in 2022.