Konfoong Biotech International

What Konfoong Biotech International does

Konfoong Biotech International (KFBIO), founded in 2011 and headquartered in Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province, China, is the leading end-to-end digital pathology solutions provider in China with over 40% domestic market share. The company combines hardware (whole-slide imaging scanners including the KF-PRO brightfield series with 2,000+ installations, KF-FL fluorescence scanners supporting up to 10 channels, and KF-PRX next-generation scanners with proprietary ESA-FPM technology), software platforms (KF-DSMS digital slide management with 100+ installations, KF-PIMS pathology information management, and KF-TPP telepathology platform), and AI-powered diagnostic models (LBC Cervical, LBC Thyroid, Colon, and Stomach AI). KFBIO has deployed solutions across 60+ countries serving 3,000+ medical institution clients with 5,000+ device installations globally, with a product portfolio extending into histology equipment (tissue processors, cryostats, stainers, laser printers) and cytology preparation systems.

The company's underlying technology architecture spans the full pathology workflow from sample preparation to AI-assisted diagnosis, integrating with hospital information systems (HIS, PACS, EMR, LIS). KFBIO's proprietary ESA-FPM (Efficient Synthetic Aperture for Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy) technology, co-developed with SCI Lab at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, achieves 98.4% data reduction and enables oil-immersion-free high-resolution imaging at 1.5-second acquisition time. The AI layer leverages a substantial proprietary data asset of 100M+ digital slides and 1.6M+ telepathology cases, with the platform's 2025 integration of DeepSeek AI marking a move toward foundation-model-augmented diagnostic workflows.

KFBIO generates revenue through four streams: hardware sales (scanners, histology/cytology equipment), software subscriptions (PIMS, DSMS, TPP), AI diagnostic solutions, and professional services. The company employs a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales to major Chinese hospital accounts with a global distributor network across 60+ countries. Pricing is custom enterprise-based and not publicly disclosed. KFBIO is a privately held venture-backed company having completed Series A (2016), Series B (2020, led by Intel Capital at $14M), and Series C (2022, led by Shengshan Capital at approximately $14.87M) financing rounds. Leadership includes Founder and General Manager Liu Bingxian (Bingxian Liu), with VPs Kevin and Wang Kivi. The company maintains certifications including CFDA Class II, CE-IVD, CE-IVDR, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, and ISO 20000, supporting regulatory access across China, the EU, and other major markets.

Name

Konfoong Biotech International

Legal name

KONFOONG BIOINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.

Website

https://kfbiopathology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Konfoong Biotech International (KFBIO) provides end-to-end digital pathology solutions combining slide scanners, histology/cytology equipment, information systems, and AI diagnostic tools. The China-based company serves hospitals, regional pathology networks, and research institutions across 60+ countries, holding the #1 market share position in China's digital pathology sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Pathology Systems

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital & AI-Enabled Diagnostics (algorithmic interpretation, decision support tied to assays) (HLAAALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pathology Reporting, Synoptic Templates & Cancer Registry Interfaces (HLACAMAJ), Imaging & Diagnostic Interoperability (DICOM exchange, image sharing, VNA connectivity) (HLACABAM), Diagnostic/Lab & Imaging Referral Marketplaces (HLALALAG)

Keywords

• Digital pathology systems
• Whole slide imaging scanners
• AI cytology diagnostics
• Telepathology platforms
• Histology laboratory equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Ningbo

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of digital pathology scanners (KF-PRO, KF-FL, KF-PRX series), histology equipment (tissue processors, cryostats, microtomes), cytology preparation systems, and slide/cassette printers
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Licensing of pathology information management systems (KF-PIMS), digital slide management systems (KF-DSMS), and telepathology platforms (KF-TPP)
3. AI Diagnostic Solutions: AI-assisted cytology and pathology diagnostic tools including cervical cancer screening AI, thyroid AI, and tissue analysis models
4. Professional Services: Implementation, training, and technical support services for digital pathology deployment and integration

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KFBIO manufactures and sells an end-to-end digital pathology solution platform consisting of whole-slide imaging scanners (KF-PRO, KF-FL, KF-PRX series), histology and cytology preparation equipment (tissue processors, cryostats, stainers, slide/cassette printers, batch readers), pathology information management software (KF-DSMS, KF-PIMS, KF-TPP), and AI-assisted diagnostic models for cervical, thyroid, colon, and stomach cancer screening. The integrated platform serves hospitals, pathology laboratories, regional telemedicine centers, and research institutions across 60+ countries.

Product overview

KFBIO offers an end-to-end digital pathology solution platform combining hardware scanners, histology/cytology preparation equipment, information systems, and AI-powered diagnostic tools. The core scanner portfolio includes the KF-PRO Series (high-throughput brightfield scanners), KF-FL Series (fluorescence scanners), and KF-PRX Series (next-generation high-resolution scanners). Supporting hardware includes tissue processors, cryostats, stainers/coverslippers, laser printers, and batch readers for complete pre-analytical workflow automation. The software ecosystem comprises KF-DSMS (digital slide management), KF-PIMS (pathology information management), and KF-TPP (telepathology consultation platform), all integrated with HIS/PACS/EMR/LIS systems. AI capabilities include specialized models for cervical cancer screening (LBC Cervical), thyroid nodule detection (LBC Thyroid), and tissue analysis (Colon, Stomach). The platform serves healthcare institutions and research centers globally with comprehensive post-sales support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KF-PRO Series: Digital pathology slide scanners with over 2,000 installations globally.
• KF-FL Series
• KF-PRX Series
• KF-DSMS
• KF-PIMS
• KF-TPP
• K-Viewer
• KFSlideOS
• KF-AI-LBC
• ESA-FPM

Products and services

• KF-PRO Series Digital Slide Scanners High-throughput brightfield whole-slide imaging scanners with capacity ranging from 5 to 400 slides, supporting routine pathology diagnosis and research applications across hospital pathology departments and research institutions.
• KF-FL Series Fluorescence Slide Scanners Fluorescence whole-slide imaging scanners supporting up to 10 channels for immunofluorescence and FISH applications, available in compact 5-slide to high-throughput 400-slide configurations for research and clinical pathology use.
• KF-PRX Series High-Resolution Scanners Next-generation high-resolution scanners incorporating proprietary ESA-FPM technology for oil-immersion-free high-magnification imaging, dual-core scanning engines, and continuous 24/7 operation capability for high-volume pathology workflows.
• KF-DSMS Digital Slide Management System Centralized digital slide management and archival system enabling storage, retrieval, viewing, and management of digital pathology images with over 100 installations across hospital pathology departments.
• KF-PIMS Pathology Information Management System Comprehensive pathology information management system providing full workflow control, sample tracking, and integration with hospital information systems (HIS/PACS/EMR/LIS) for pathology departments.
• KF-TPP Tele Pathology Platform Remote pathology consultation platform enabling real-time expert collaboration, MDT teleconferences, frozen section diagnosis, and inter-hospital consultation across multiple facilities.
• LBC Cervical AI Diagnostic Model AI-assisted liquid-based cytology analysis for cervical cancer screening, providing automated pre-screening and lesion detection to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in population screening programs.
• LBC Thyroid AI Diagnostic Model AI-assisted thyroid nodule detection and analysis for cytology specimens, supporting pathologists in thyroid cancer screening and diagnosis.
• Colon AI Diagnostic Model AI-assisted histopathological analysis for colon tissue specimens, supporting colon cancer detection and tissue analysis workflows.
• Stomach AI Diagnostic Model AI-assisted histopathological assessment for gastric tissue specimens, supporting stomach cancer detection and diagnostic workflows.
• Tissue Processor Highly reliable tissue processing equipment with dual redundant backup of key components for consistent and stable specimen preparation in pathology laboratories.
• Cryostat Rapid, precise intraoperative frozen section diagnosis equipment with superior section quality and efficient workflow for intraoperative pathology consultations.
• Stainer and Coverslipper (KF-RF Series) Automated slide staining and coverslipping equipment (KF-RF-I, KF-RF-II, KF-RF-III, KF-RF-V) ensuring standardized staining processes and consistent slide quality for pathology laboratory workflows.
• Slide Laser Printer (KF-UV Series) Ultra-fast slide laser printers (KF-UV-150, KF-UV-300) providing precise and reliable slide identification for laboratory workflow management.
• Cassette Laser Printer (KF-UE Series) Ultra-fast cassette laser printers (KF-UE-001, KF-UE-006) with single and six-hopper configurations for efficient specimen tracking in histology workflows.
• Gross Imaging System (KF-GSC-100) Streamlined pathology workflow imaging system with hands-free operation, crystal-clear imaging, and seamless data management for gross specimen documentation.
• KF-CT-E Series Cytology Preparation System High-efficiency cytology preparation system eliminating centrifugation steps, providing integrated liquid-based cytology sample processing (KF-CT-024E, KF-CT-048E).
• KF-PD Series All-in-One Cytology Preparation System All-in-one cytology preparation system where sample goes in and finished slides come out, streamlining the cytology preparation workflow.
• KF-ARC/KF-ARS Slide and Cassette Batch Reader Automated batch readers (KF-ARC-300, KF-ARS-300) that significantly improve workflow efficiency by automating slide and cassette identification and tracking.
• K-Viewer Slide Viewing Software Slide viewing software enabling pathologists to review and annotate digital slides on desktop or remotely via computer, smartphone, or tablet device.
• KFSlideOS Slide Viewing System Software Slide viewing system compatible with Windows and macOS, supporting fluorescence slide scanning and comprehensive digital pathology review capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cervical cancer AI screening achieves >70% lesion detection accuracy with <60 seconds processing time per slide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.

• SCI Lab (Nanjing University of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022KFBIO collaborated with SCI Lab to develop ESA-FPM (Efficient Synthetic Aperture for Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy) technology, a breakthrough in computational imaging that achieves 98.4% data reduction and enables oil-immersion-free high-resolution scanning. Research published in Laser & Photonics Reviews 2022.
• HuaweinotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022KFBIO and Huawei strengthened strategic partnership in digital pathology, focusing on AI storage solutions and digital pathology infrastructure for enterprise healthcare deployments.
• IntelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016KFBIO partnered with Intel and Henan Provincial People's Hospital to establish the Joint Laboratory of Digital Pathology and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on pathology big data cloud platform development, workflow management, and AI-assisted diagnostics.
• Ningbo UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFBIO collaborated with Ningbo University on optimizing digital pathology staining workflows, conducting research on slide-stainer systems and intelligent scheduling for pathology laboratory efficiency.
• First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (National Telemedicine Center of China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFBIO deployed over 130 digital pathology slide scanners and built a telepathology consultation platform for the National Telemedicine Center of China, enabling remote pathology consultation across Henan Province with 12,000+ annual consultations.
• Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & HospitalnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFBIO partnered with Tianjin Cancer Hospital to establish a remote pathology consultation platform supporting the hospital's interconnection strategy across multiple districts, with focus on breast pathology and international academic exchanges.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• OptraSCAN: OptraSCAN offers affordable digital pathology scanner and image management solutions targeted at mid-tier hospital labs and emerging markets. Comparable to KFBIO in the lower-to-mid throughput scanner segment and emphasis on subscription-based software delivery, though at a smaller scale and different price positioning.
• Paige.AI: Paige.AI is an AI-focused digital pathology company with FDA-cleared cancer detection algorithms and enterprise pathology deployments. Comparable to KFBIO's AI diagnostics layer (LBC Cervical, LBC Thyroid, Colon, Stomach) but takes a software-first, AI-native approach rather than KFBIO's hardware-led platform strategy.
• Huron Digital Pathology: Huron Digital Pathology offers the TissueScope line of whole-slide scanners targeting clinical and research pathology labs. Comparable to KFBIO's KF-PRO scanner family in throughput tier and customer profile, though with a smaller global installed base and narrower software ecosystem.

Others

• Indica Labs: Indica Labs provides the HALO image analysis platform widely used by pathology researchers and pharma for AI-based tissue analysis. Already integrated as an analytics partner alongside KFBIO's DSMS, Indica Labs is comparable as an enabling software layer in the digital pathology ecosystem rather than a direct scanner competitor.

Direct peers

• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu's NanoZoomer series of digital pathology slide scanners directly competes with KFBIO's KF-PRO, KF-FL, and KF-PRX scanner families. Both companies sell high-throughput WSI scanners to research institutions and clinical pathology labs globally with comparable throughput and resolution specifications.
• 3DHISTECH: 3DHISTECH is a Hungary-based digital pathology vendor offering slide scanners (P1000, P250, P1000), PACS-like slide management software, and AI integrations. Comparable to KFBIO as a focused mid-sized digital pathology vendor selling end-to-end scanner-plus-software solutions to clinical and research pathology labs worldwide.
• Leica Biosystems (Danaher): Leica Biosystems (owned by Danaher) is the most direct competitor to KFBIO, offering Aperio whole-slide scanners, digital pathology software, and AI partnerships. Both companies target hospital pathology laboratories with end-to-end digital pathology workflows spanning scanning, management, and AI-assisted diagnosis.
• Motic Digital Pathology: Motic is a Chinese-headquartered microscopy and digital pathology competitor with the EasyScan and MoticVue scanner lines plus imaging software. Closely comparable to KFBIO in product scope, target customer (hospital and research pathology labs), and Asia-led distribution model, making it a key regional competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Philips (Digital Pathology): Philips offers the IntelliSite Pathology Solution, a large enterprise digital pathology platform with scanner hardware, image management, and AI capabilities. Comparable to KFBIO as a full-stack digital pathology vendor competing for the same hospital pathology department customers, though Philips operates at significantly broader scale across healthcare imaging.
• Roche (Ventana): Roche's Ventana Digital Pathology portfolio, including the Roche Digital Pathology Dx system (uPath enterprise software), competes with KFBIO in hospital pathology workflows. Both target integrated IHC companion diagnostics and routine clinical pathology, though Roche operates at a much larger scale as a broad diagnostics incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Konfoong Biotech International