[Edaily Reporter Kim Jinsoo ] As medical technology advances, the treatment of human diseases is evolving toward “personalized” and “precision medicine.” Consequently, demand for personalized treatment and precision medicine is now extending to companion animals, which have recently come to be regarded as “family members.” Until now, animals have mostly relied on treatments and medical devices developed for humans, as there were no animal-specific options available. While this posed challenges—including cost burdens, product size limitations, and low accuracy—the introduction of animal-specific products has enhanced safety and enabled more precise treatment and diagnosis. In particular, by actively utilizing “technology transfer”—developing animal-specific products based on technologies originally applied to human products—companies have reduced R&D investment and risks while increasing profits. [Editor’s Note]

REMED CO.,LTD.(302550)has entered the market for pain management medical devices for large animals, such as horses, in addition to human products, by utilizing its core magnetic field-based pain treatment technology. REMED CO.,LTD. plans to expand into pain management medical devices for small animals through the development of additional products. In particular, REMED CO.,LTD.’s growth is anticipated given that the market for large animal pain management medical devices is an early-stage market with virtually no competitors.

REMED CO.,LTD. is a company that develops medical devices designed to treat and rehabilitate various conditions by generating strong magnetic fields to induce the depolarization of nerve cells through non-invasive stimulation. In South Korea, the company obtained a license to manufacture veterinary drugs last September and secured product approval for veterinary medical devices intended for export, thereby registering as an official manufacturer recognized by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.

The product introduced as a result of these efforts is the medical electromagnetic generator “Talent-Expert (H).” It is primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain in DAEDONG CORPORATION animals, including horses.

Racehorses are known to expend a great deal of energy and experience high levels of muscle fatigue, losing about 10 kg in body weight per race. Consequently, they undergo a long rest period after each race, and REMED CO.,LTD. offers a magnetic field-based pain treatment device designed to alleviate pain in horses during this rest period.

According to market research firm Growth Market Reports, the global equine rehabilitation services market is projected to grow from approximately $179.2 million (267 billion won) in 2024 to $341.9 million (509.6 billion won) by 2033. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 7.4%. While the market size itself is not particularly large, it is considered a “blue ocean” because there are currently no major players in this sector.

For the past three years, REMED CO.,LTD. has been selling medical devices such as Talent-Expert (H), designed to treat muscle pain in horses, in Japan through its local partner, Central Farm. The company is gradually gaining a foothold in the market, selling around 70 to 80 units annually.

Japan is considered the most suitable region for REMED CO.,LTD.’s products to enter, given its large horse racing industry and well-developed infrastructure. According to industry sources, the Japanese large animal rehabilitation services market is projected to more than double, growing from approximately $10.4 million in 2024 to about $21.2 million by 2030.

REMED CO.,LTD. is not stopping at Japan but is also pushing to enter the U.S. market. Starting with the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) annual conference held in Denver last December, a decision on whether to launch products in the U.S. as early as this year is expected. REMED CO.,LTD. plans to expand sales in collaboration with local distributors, focusing on racehorse training centers and specialized rehabilitation facilities.

REMED CO.,LTD. official stated, “We have already obtained approval for medical devices intended for human use in the U.S., and since the technology is the same, veterinary medical devices can be sold there simply by filing a notification,” adding, “Given that the U.S. market is by far the largest, we are focusing our efforts on preparing for entry into that market.”

To enhance the synergy between pain management and rehabilitation, REMED CO.,LTD. plans to add the portable device “EXMS” to its veterinary medical device lineup. This device is designed for small animals that spend most of their time indoors and is expected to be used primarily for companion animals.

REMED CO.,LTD. official said, “We are preparing to expand our market to include pets kept indoors. Dogs that live indoors are prone to dislocations, and medical devices for pain treatment will be helpful.”

Expanding from Human Medical Devices to Animals

The veterinary medical devices currently sold by REMED CO.,LTD. in Japan are an adaptation of magnetic field stimulation technology—which has been used on humans for over 20 years—for large animals.

REMED CO.,LTD.’s core technology generates a powerful magnetic field to non-invasively induce depolarization of nerve cells. A key feature is its ability to stimulate deep muscles and nerves without the need for needles or incisions.

The “Salus Talent” series of chronic pain treatment devices for humans is the company’s flagship product; in 2003, it became the first device in Korea to receive approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a deep-tissue electromagnetic field stimulation therapy device. Since then, beginning with exports to Europe in 2008, the company has secured sales approvals in the United States, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Thailand, and other countries.

REMED CO.,LTD. official stated, “While medical devices for humans and animals differ in terms of protocols, the underlying core technology is fundamentally the same,” adding, “The small-animal product set to launch soon also utilizes the same technology, with differences such as output levels.”

The representative added, “We plan to target the global market more aggressively in the future and will expand our presence into major markets—starting with Japan and the U.S. and moving on to Europe—to strengthen our industrial competitiveness and global leadership.”