[K-Healthcare Goes Global] Kyrgyzstan employee at Coreline Soft drives AI diagnostics expansion in European healthcare

Just a year ago, the medical AI market for radiologists was barely noticeable in Europe’s healthcare industry—an intriguing concept, but little more. Today, it’s become a necessity, driven by a growing shortage of radiologists across the continent.

Fresh regulations have now embedded AI into the core of healthcare workflows, shifting it from a theoretical concept into an essential tool.

“No disrespect to other countries, but European nations are leading the world in healthcare regulations,” said Dmitrii Tegai, overseas sales manager at Coreline Soft, a Korean developer of AI-driven diagnostic solutions.

According to Tegai, Europe’s healthcare market is "deeply academic," fostering extensive research and an openness to adopting new technologies. “It will grow even more as evidence of AI's effectiveness in clinical routines continues to emerge,” he told Korea Biomedical Review in an interview last Friday. 

Tegai’s role is to push Coreline Soft into new frontiers as AI transforms diagnostics and healthcare decision-making. The focus has expanded beyond market entry to include adapting to rapid technological shifts and addressing bureaucratic challenges in advanced healthcare institutions.

As the leader of Coreline Soft’s European expansion, Tegai develops growth strategies, fosters key relationships, and oversees cross-border operations. However, his path to becoming a cultural and professional bridge between Korea and Europe has been anything but straightforward.

Born in Kyrgyzstan, Tegai, now 35, initially pursued software engineering at the American University of Central Asia. “I couldn’t connect with coding,” he admitted, laughing at the memory of trying to communicate in a lab full of computers. A turning point came when he discovered the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), opening the door to studying in Korea. He transferred to Wonkwang University, located in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, to pursue business administration.

“It was the second time I came to Korea,” he recalled. “The first time, I was five. The second was during high school, and that’s when I noticed how everything here just… worked—organized, quick, efficient. It left an impression.”

By his third visit, Tegai was ready to stay for good. The U.S., with its allure of the American Dream, was still tempting. “Big country, big opportunities,” he noted. But the reality of New York, where he once worked, soon dulled the allure. “Big but dirty, and very crowded.”

Seoul, on the other hand, drew him in. “It’s dynamic, cleaner, the crowd is kinder,” he said. “I saw more opportunities here than in the U.S. Staying in Korea was one of the most important decisions I’ve made.”

In Korea, Tegai found more than a place to work. He found a place to belong—a paradox for someone whose features mirrored his Korean peers, but whose upbringing and language were far from familiar.

“People assumed I was Korean—until I opened my mouth,” he said, recalling his early days in Seoul. The confusion was mutual. Koreans thought Tegai was one of them, but he didn’t speak the language. 

This early struggle became a strength, Tegai said, teaching him to navigate perceptions and build meaningful relationships by understanding people’s backgrounds.

After seven years of working in marketing and sales in Seoul, Tegai co-founded Double B International, a company aiming to digitize global trade logistics. In countries like Vietnam and Thailand, however, where analog systems still dominated trade logistics, pushing for digital transformation felt like pushing a boulder uphill. “In Korea, everything is digital, but elsewhere, it’s a different story,” Tegai said. “We wanted to break down the barriers—reduce bureaucracy, streamline the process. But at the government level, the resistance was immense.”

Tegai’s pivot to healthcare AI came from his belief in its transformative potential, particularly in early lung cancer detection. “In Korea, if you walk into a clinic, you’re in and out with your CT scan and results in under ten minutes. In Europe, you’re waiting two to three months.”

This stark contrast fueled his mission at Coreline Soft. Lung cancer is often silent until it’s too late; by the time symptoms appear, it’s usually stage three or four and untreatable. "We need to streamline diagnostic processes to ensure patients receive faster, better care," Tegai said.

While his background in international trade might seem unconventional for healthcare AI, it’s precisely this diverse experience that gives Tegai an edge. His understanding of global markets, regulatory challenges, and cultural nuances has proven invaluable in driving Coreline Soft’s expansion in Europe. 

The company has already made significant progress. Its product, AVIEW LCS Plus, is a simultaneous diagnostic solution for thoracic diseases, capable of detecting and analyzing the "big three" conditions—lung cancer, emphysema, and coronary artery calcification—using low-dose CT imaging data from a single scan. This technology is currently utilized in lung cancer screening projects.

In Germany, Coreline Soft recently completed the HANSEpilot study, laying the foundation for a nationwide lung cancer screening program that launched this July. Tegai projects its full impact will be felt by late next year. The program mandates the use of AI to identify lung nodules, a move Tegai believes will revolutionize early cancer detection. 

Coreline Soft’s reach extends beyond Germany. In Italy, it is currently partnering with the University of Parma on a national screening initiative. In France, it is collaborating with top-tier hospitals like Hôpital Cochin and Bichat–Claude Bernard, part of Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris. Meanwhile, in the U.K., research projects are underway with Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. Spain’s Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), consisting of ICO, Hospital del Mar, Hospital de Bellvitge and Hospital de Viladecans, has also joined the fold, conducting cutting-edge research with Coreline.

The technology is also being used in the Netherlands, though securing agreements has proven challenging. "When you're working in overseas business development, you have to understand the product from every angle—technical, clinical, and strategic," Tegai said. "But even with my experience, some things are still hard. Especially when you’re dealing with professors and doctors. It’s not about pushing for a sale—it’s about building trust."

And trust, as Tegai knows, takes time.

Tegai’s ability to bridge cultures has been key to his success. Born in Kyrgyzstan during the fall of the Soviet Union, he grew up at the crossroads of Asian and European influences. “I became very Korean,” he said, reflecting on his time studying and working in Korea. “That connection—respecting someone’s culture—opens doors, personally and professionally.”

This cultural fluency has been crucial as Coreline Soft addresses Europe’s healthcare challenges, including the acute shortage of radiologists and inefficiencies in medical workflows. Coreline’s unified diagnostic solutions have struck a chord with professionals facing these issues. “Our streamlined workflow is our biggest advantage,” Tegai said, pausing briefly. 

“I’m not saying others don’t have quality products,” he continued. “But the quality of our product—that’s what sets us apart.”

Coreline Soft's ambitions stretch far beyond lung cancer. The company envisions a future where a single scan can diagnose multiple conditions. This commitment to innovation also extends to addressing complications across the patient journey, not just the disease itself. “We’re focused on the entire process,” Tegai said. “Because how patients experience care is just as important as the treatment itself.”