What LabInCube does

LabInCube Co., Ltd. (랩인큐브 주식회사) is a South Korean deep-tech company founded in March 2021 by Professor Choi Kyung-min (최경민) of Sookmyung Women's University as a spin-off under the university's technology holdings entity. The company commercializes Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) porous advanced materials through its proprietary CUBRIX™ platform, which enables precise control of molecular-scale spaces (from Ångström to micrometer scale) for selective capture, protection, and controlled release of target substances. LabInCube is positioned as the world's first company to successfully commercialize Nobel Prize-recognized MOF technology, with founder Choi being a direct student of 2025 Nobel Chemistry laureate Omar Yaghi.

The company operates two main solution platforms. MOFAC addresses air and water quality through filter materials such as INCUBE 206 (VOC removal), INCUBE 105 (dehumidification), and INCUBE 110 (special gas storage), with the flagship commercial deployment being LG Electronics' PuriCare Deodorization M Filter (40%+ odor removal improvement vs. conventional filters). INCUBE addresses aesthetic and biomedical applications through bio materials including INCUBE 701 (spherical PLLA particles for reduced inflammation), INCUBE 301 (vitamin C encapsulation), and INCUBE 501 (cytokine absorption), powering the PLLACUBE branded skin booster line (Original, PiNk VoL., CYTOBALANCE after 10) and OEM supply to 32 countries.

LabInCube generates revenue through four streams: direct hardware/material sales to electronics manufacturers (LG Electronics), OEM/white-label supply of aesthetic materials to global partners (BS Pharm Korea, H2Medi, EstePharm, Victoria Sun International, OREON Life Science), direct branded product sales of PLLACUBE to hospitals and clinics, and technology licensing (e.g., to MetaBioMed). The company has raised approximately $13.7M USD in disclosed funding across a 2021 seed round, a 5.1B KRW Series A (April 2024), and a 14.7B KRW Series B led by strategic investor MetaBioMed (March 2026). It holds ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO 22716 certifications, was designated a Baby Unicorn by KOTEC in 2024-2025, and operates from Cheongju (HQ), Seoul (R&D, offices, factory), and Ansan (factory, established April 2025).

Name

LabInCube

Legal name

LabInCube Co., Ltd. (랩인큐브 주식회사)

Website

https://labincube.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LabInCube is a South Korean materials science company founded in 2021 that commercializes Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) porous materials through its CUBRIX™ platform for air purification, aesthetic, and biomedical applications. It supplies LG Electronics air filters and distributes PLLACUBE skin boosters and OEM bio-materials across 32 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Materials (Metal-Organic Frameworks)

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradable Medical & Hygiene Materials (absorbables, disposables substrates) (IMAEAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF)

Keywords

• MOF advanced materials
• Porous filter materials
• Aesthetic skin boosters
• Controlled release biomaterials
• Air purification materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheongju

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. MOF Materials Sales: Sales of MOF-based filter materials to electronics companies like LG Electronics for air purification applications
2. Aesthetic Products: Direct sales of brand products including PLLACUBE Original, PLLACUBE PiNk VoL., and PLLACUBE CYTOBALANCE after 10 skin boosters to hospitals and clinics
3. OEM/White-label Supply: OEM supply of aesthetic materials and ingredients to global partners, with products exported to 32 countries
4. Technology Licensing: Licensing of MOF technology and INCUBE platform to partners like MetaBioMed for medical device development

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LabInCube develops and manufactures Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) based porous advanced materials that enable selective capture, protection, and controlled release of target substances at molecular scale. Its commercial offerings include MOFAC air and water filter materials (used in LG Electronics PuriCare air purifiers), INCUBE bio materials for aesthetic and biomedical applications (including skin boosters and medical devices), and the proprietary CUBRIX™ platform technology. The company sells these materials directly to enterprise OEMs, through OEM/white-label arrangements to medical device companies, and as branded PLLACUBE skin boosters to hospitals and clinics.

Product overview

LabInCube is a deep-tech startup specializing in Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-based porous advanced materials. The company operates two main solution platforms: MOFAC (Air & Water Solution) for air purification, dehumidification, and special gas storage applications; and INCUBE (Aesthetic Solution) for cosmetic and biomedical applications. The CUBRIX™ proprietary technology platform enables molecular-scale space design for selective capture, protection, and controlled release of target substances. Key commercial products include LG Electronics PuriCare air purifier filters (featuring INCUBE 206 material), and the PLLACUBE branded skin booster line (including Original, PiNk VoL., and CYTOBALANCE after 10) utilizing various INCUBE bio materials (301, 501, 701) for aesthetic medicine applications. Products are distributed across 32 countries worldwide through both direct sales and OEM partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PLLACUBE (플라큐브): Skin booster brand featuring PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic acid) combined with PDRN, vitamin C, glutathione, and sodium hyaluronate. Products include PLLACUBE Original, PLLACUBE PiNk VoL., and PLLACUBE CYTOBALANCE after 10.
• MOFAC
• INCUBE
• Newire (뉴이레)
• CUBRIX™

Products and services

• MOFAC (Air & Water Solution) MOF-based porous advanced materials platform for air and water treatment, including VOC removal, dehumidification, and special gas storage. Designed for electronics manufacturers, HVAC system makers, and industrial gas processors requiring high-efficiency molecular-level adsorption.
• INCUBE (Aesthetic Solution) Platform technology for cosmetic and biomedical applications enabling selective capture, protection, and controlled release of active ingredients. Used as the basis for skin boosters, dermal fillers, and medical device components supplied to aesthetic OEMs and clinics.
• PLLACUBE Original All-in-one skin booster containing 6 active ingredients (PLLA, PDRN, medicinal herb extracts, vitamin C, glutathione, sodium hyaluronate) for post-skin treatment care, leveraging freeze-drying technology for stability. Designed for sale to hospitals and aesthetic clinics for in-clinic skin rejuvenation procedures.
• PLLACUBE PiNk VoL.

Quantifiable outcome

• Odor removal performance improved by over 40% compared to existing filters in LG Electronics PuriCare air purifiers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• MetaBioMed (메타바이오메드)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026MetaBioMed, a global biodegradable medical materials company, joined as strategic investor in Series B funding and signed joint R&D and commercialization agreement. Partnership aims to combine LabInCube's MOF material technology with MetaBioMed's manufacturing infrastructure for next-generation polymer fillers and medical device applications targeting global markets.
• LG ElectronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2024Supply agreement for VOCs collecting MOF filter materials installed in LG Electronics PuriCare air purifiers (PuriCare FreshFilter M Filter). LabInCube delivers customized MOF filter materials with over 40% improved odor removal performance.
• BS Pharm Korea Co., Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for PLLACEL aesthetic product incorporating INCUBE 701, 301, and GLU materials
• H2Medi Co., Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for LHALA PEEL and LHALA Doctor products using INCUBE materials
• EstePharm Co., Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for PLLASOME product using INCUBE 701 material
• Victoria Sun International Co., Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for REPLAMAX aesthetic product
• OREON Life Science Co., Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for PiNkLLA aesthetic product
• Sookmyung Women's University Technology HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and technology holding entity of Sookmyung Women's University; LabInCube is a subsidiary established as a spin-off company with technology transfer agreements

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NovoMOF: NovoMOF (Switzerland/Germany) is a direct MOF technology peer developing porous materials for carbon capture, gas storage, and chemical separations. Comparable as a venture-stage MOF commercializer serving industrial gas and sustainability applications, similar to LabInCube's MOFAC line.
• Profmof: Profmof is a Korean MOF specialist commercializing porous materials for gas storage, separation, and sensing. Most directly comparable peer given shared Korean origin, MOF core technology, and industrial application focus, parallel to LabInCube's MOFAC platform.
• NuMat Technologies (ION-X): NuMat Technologies (now branded ION-X, acquired by Honeywell's UOP) develops MOF-based gas storage and capture products. Comparable as a pioneering MOF commercialization company focused on industrial gas and filtration applications, similar to LabInCube's MOFAC offerings.
• Hugel: Hugel is a leading Korean medical aesthetics company specializing in botulinum toxin, fillers, and skin boosters. Comparable as a Korean aesthetics peer and potential acquirer/partner for LabInCube's PLLACUBE and INCUBE aesthetic products.

Emerging players

• Atoco: Atoco is a California-based MOF startup focused on direct air carbon capture and water harvesting using porous framework materials. Comparable as an emerging MOF commercializer in gas/capture applications, partially overlapping with LabInCube's MOFAC platform.
• MOFgen: MOFgen is a UK-based developer of MOF materials for biomedical applications including antimicrobial coatings and drug delivery. Comparable to LabInCube's INCUBE bio-material line, especially controlled release and biomedical applications.

Regional players

• Medytox: Medytox is a Korean biopharmaceutical company developing botulinum toxin and bio-aesthetic products. Comparable as a regional Korean aesthetics company overlapping with LabInCube's PLLACUBE distribution channels and target customer base.

Broad incumbents

• LG Chem: LG Chem is a large Korean chemical and life sciences conglomerate producing advanced materials, batteries, and beauty/aesthetics products. Comparable as a broad incumbent with potential overlapping capabilities in MOF materials R&D and aesthetics channels relevant to LabInCube's MOFAC and PLLACUBE lines.
• BASF: BASF is a global chemical giant with active MOF research programs (BASF Cluster of Excellence) and broad specialty materials portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial chemicals and porous materials that could compete with or partner LabInCube in scaling MOF technology.
• Nuaire / Donaldson Filtration: Donaldson is a global filtration company offering industrial and consumer air filtration solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent in air filtration where LabInCube's MOFAC filter materials could be integrated or compete in OEM supply relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 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 LabInCube