Seegene is releasing a gene amplification (PCR) diagnostic kit that detects infection with Omicron as well as stealth Omicron mutant virus this month. It is analyzed that there will be great demand not only in Korea but also abroad, as it can detect omicron mutations within two hours without performing a full-length genome analysis that takes more than three days.
Kim Yun-ji, head of Seegene’s Diagnostic Reagents Research Center (pictured), recently met with reporters and said, “As Omicron’s transmission power is known to be five times stronger than Delta’s, it is now more important to confirm the type of mutation it is infected with, not the confirmation of Corona 19.”
Director Kim said, “We will release a product that can detect which mutation among several major mutated viruses, including Omicron. Seegene has developed a diagnostic reagent for mutation discrimination based on genetic information disclosed to the World Health Organization (WHO). He added, “We have completed the product development that reduced the inspection time from two hours to an hour, and we are preparing an application for product approval.”
The accuracy of PCR diagnostic kits at the commercial level is more than 99%. The company explains that the diagnostic kit for mutation discrimination has similar accuracy. In April, Seegene also received permission for export as a diagnostic kit for distinguishing mutations such as alpha and delta.
Director Kim is in charge of Seegene’s diagnostic reagent research. Since the establishment of Seegene in 2000, he is a founding member who has been living and working with the founder, CEO Chun Jong-yoon. Director Kim received the 1 billion dollar export tower on behalf of the company at the Trade Day ceremony on the 6th.
Director Kim said that the launch of a product one step earlier than others became a stepping stone for growth. He explained, “We increased the product development speed as much as possible in line with the equipment mainly used in the market, and this strategy worked well.” He continued, “In addition to products related to COVID-19, we will showcase Seegene’s multi-diagnostic technology with products that diagnose digestive, female, and genetic diseases.”
Reporter Lee Joo-hyun deep@hankyung.com
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