Partnership will bring Galleri multi-cancer early detection test to South Korea, with potential expansion to Japan and Singapore.

Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics have agreed to invest $110 million in GRAIL Inc to bring the company’s Galleri multi-cancer early detection test to key Asian markets, beginning with South Korea.

The collaboration, announced through a binding letter of intent, will make Samsung C&T the exclusive partner to commercialize the Galleri test in South Korea, with possible expansion to Japan and Singapore. The investment values GRAIL shares at $70.05 each and is subject to execution of definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, with closing expected in early 2026.

“The collaboration with GRAIL represents a significant new step—moving beyond investment to a strategic business partnership that provides Samsung with a strong foothold for expanding into the cancer screening field and delivering one of these promising technologies to customers in South Korea and across Asia,” says Jaywoo Kim, executive vice president of life science business at Samsung C&T, in a release.

Test Processing and Distribution Plans

Initially, Galleri tests will be processed at GRAIL’s clinical laboratory in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Samsung C&T will serve as GRAIL’s sole distributor in the target markets, subject to certain requirements, while Galleri will be the exclusive multi-cancer early detection test distributed by Samsung C&T in those regions.

The Galleri test uses a blood draw to screen for more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear. The test employs targeted methylation-based technology and next-generation sequencing to detect cancer signals and predict where in the body cancer may be located.

“We look forward to partnering with Samsung to bring multi-cancer early detection to Asia, beginning in South Korea,” says Sir Harpal Kumar, president of international business and biopharma at GRAIL, in a release. “Samsung’s significant equity investment strengthens our balance sheet and provides further cash runway as we advance through key milestones to secure reimbursement for Galleri in the US and key international markets.”

Additional Technology Collaborations Planned

Beyond the distribution partnership, Samsung Electronics and GRAIL plan to explore strategic and operational collaborations, including supporting longitudinal genomic-lifestyle clinical research and integrating Samsung’s health data platform with GRAIL’s technologies and data.

“A potential collaboration with GRAIL could allow for the integration of our AI, our digital care platform, and device ecosystem with GRAIL’s clinical genetic data and technology, which could allow us to provide a level of personalization for our users to help them better understand their health,” says Hon Pak, senior vice president and head of digital health team at Samsung Electronics, in a release.

The Galleri test is recommended for adults with elevated cancer risk, such as those aged 50 or older, and is intended to supplement routine cancer screening tests. The test requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and is processed in GRAIL’s CLIA-certified and College of American Pathologists-accredited laboratory.

Commercial operations are expected to begin soon after execution of definitive agreements in early 2026. Latham & Watkins and Morgan Stanley served as advisors to GRAIL, while Samsung was advised by Covington & Burling, BKL, and E&Y Han Young.

ID 158069645 © Jarun011 | Dreamstime.com