Dr. Ahn: At my private practice, we perform many liposuction procedures. Liposuction in the arm is often followed by skin sagging. I was looking for ways to cause the skin to contract by inducing thermal damage and came to the idea of using Smooth-Liner which was initially indicated for wrinkle removal. I asked the manufacturer to develop a long tip cannula for this procedure and used it in the sagging skin of the arm after liposuction. As I had expected, it brought excellent skin tightening effects and improved elasticity and striae distensae. Subsequently, I started using Smooth Liner in all tightening procedures and now it is the most frequently used device at my practice.

 

Mr. Kim: Dr. Ahn uses most medical devices including ours with aggressive techniques. As a manufacturer, it is necessary to have a primary user who can test out various uses of the product. Thanks to his efforts, we will be able to introduce a new upgrade of Smooth-Liner to be used in hip and breast lifting procedures.

 

Dr. Ahn: GTG Wellness is currently preparing to release a HIFU device. The HIFU device will be used in breast lifts. I am good friends with Mr. Kim and other GTG Wellness employees and feel comfortable sharing my opinions about their products.

 

 

Targeting the foreign market requires close partnership between the company and doctor

 

D&PS: You work together to promote Korea’s medical skills in countries around the world. Please tell us more about your activities in foreign countries.

 

Mr. Kim: As we focus on exporting, I visit many countries with Dr. Ahn. The more I make these trips, the more I am convinced that Korean doctors have excellent skills. The competition in the domestic market is very tough and Korean doctors have to be equipped with top skills to survive. This helps them attain a high level of expertise. Many Korean doctors like Dr. Ahn are training their colleagues around the world and sharing their precious knowhow. Some foreign doctors even send their patients to Dr. Ahn. It is my personal goal to expand these academic efforts in other countries. Dr. Ahn provides technical training to the local doctors and we deliver our devices to them. This also benefits Dr. Ahn as his foreign colleagues send patients to him. I plan to further establish this win-win system. Korean medical products are popular in China and countries in South East Asia and the Middle East. Riding the waves of such favorable reception of Korean products in foreign markets, we can achieve great things by expanding training sessions for foreign doctors with Dr. Ahn.

 

Dr. Ahn: The medical market is ever growing but the benefits will be limited if the doctors and medical device manufacturers go separate ways. Doctors can work together with pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers to provide academic sessions in the new market to promote the products. Such a collaboration between the industry and medical professionals can help establish biomedical industry as a key exporter of Korea. The government support may further strengthen such efforts.

 

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D&PS: We hear that GTG Wellness is preparing to be listed in KOSDAQ. What is the role of the doctors for this goal?

 

Mr. Kim: In short-term, GTG Wellness is planning to be listed in KOSDAQ and long-term we are trying to create a total aesthetic care company with products ranging from medical devices for specialists as well as DIY devices for consumers. We are also looking at venturing into the market for botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. We are continuing our steady and gradual progress toward these goals.

 

Dr. Ahn: It would be quite a challenge for GTG Wellness to attain these goals but I have faith in their ability as they have consistently achieved their past goals.

 

Article/In-hong Yoo, Photography/Young-gil Kim