Seegene Unveils Innovative Laboratory-on-Wheels Facility Designed for Mass On-Site COVID-19 PCR Testing

Seegene, Inc. (Seoul, Korea) has introduced MOBILE STATION, an innovative laboratory-on-wheels facility that is designed to deploy the gold standard PCR testing solution to anywhere community-based testing is needed.

While many countries around the world are planning to re-open their borders, schools, and public-use facilities, Seegene’s new deployable container laboratory is considered an ideal option for conducting mass PCR testing in such locations. Also, the MOBILE STATION can be mobilized anytime, allowing more people to utilize molecular diagnostics when needed. MOBILE STATION sets the new bar of PCR lab setting with its ability to deliver effective testing solutions to anywhere testing is needed. PCR testing has been normally conducted only at fixed space due to concerns of cross-contamination. However, the MOBILE STATION, with Seegene's technology and know-how gained through operation of South Korea's largest reference laboratory, has already minimized the overall risks of aerosol contamination posed in PCR process by installing Class 2 (A2) Bio-Safety Cabinet and negative pressure room.

From sample collection to automated interpretation of results, it offers streamlined and automated workflow backed by the company's All-in-One platform thereby allowing equitable access to health care for the public. Seegene's All-in-One platform, when fully utilized, can conduct up to 7500 tests per day with a turnaround time of 3.5 hours. Seegene's pioneering concept of the mobile laboratory is expected to play a significant role in stopping the current pandemic since the company offers unparalleled PCR testing solution with its exclusive multiplex assays. The MOBILE STATION is also fully compatible with Seegene's more than 150 multiplex assay menus including tests for respiratory infectious pathogens, HPV, STI, and GI.

Seegene has also introduced Combo Swab, a self-administrable sample collection device. In comparison to nasopharyngeal swab, typically used in sampling for COVID-19 PCR testing, in which health care providers collect samples by inserting a swab deep inside nostrils, Combo Swab allows individuals to simply collect samples with two individual swabs through swirling around their nasal and oral cavity by two individual swabs without any discomfort. In addition, Combo Swab with dual sample collection showed the same accuracy compared to nasopharyngeal swab. Self-sample collection availability of Combo Swab along with provisional space scalability of MOBILE STATION enables mass testing to be processed in a quicker time and more efficient manner than the conventional process.

"As COVID-19 is likely to become endemic, the MOBILE STATION will play a key role in not only detecting COVID-19, but also closely monitoring other new viruses that can threaten our daily lives in the future," said Min-cheol Lee, Seegene's Chief Technology Officer. "Seegene's multiple virus variant detection kits can detect the new strains of virus and prevent them from turning into an additional outbreak of subsequent pandemic waves."