Seegene Showcases Latest Molecular Testing Solutions at AACC 2022

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Jul 2022

Image: STARlet-AIOS provides an ultimate solution that can detect and diagnose the exact cause of symptoms (Photo courtesy of Seegene)

Seegene, Inc. (Seoul, Korea) is showcasing its molecular testing solutions at the 2022 American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, July 24-28 in Chicago.

Seegene’s COVID-19 EUA and various Research Use molecular assays are designed to simultaneously detect multiple targets with high accuracy for infectious diseases such as Monkeypox, tick-borne, drug resistance, respiratory infections, STI, UTI, and more. Visitors to the company’s AACC 2022 booth can explore the Seegene In-Life PCR campaign, a global initiative that seeks to encourage regular testing of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and colds, to stay protected from infectious diseases. It aims to curb widespread transmission and ensure a smooth return to normalcy by targeting those at community-based facilities like schools and nursing homes, as well as individuals that are asymptomatic.

Seegene’s EU-Approved Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay is expected to help small hospitals, local clinics, and public health centers effectively identify COVID-19, influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay can detect six targets associated with the four respiratory viruses. The targets include three distinct COVID-19 genes (S, RdRp, N) to reliably identify positive cases even as new variants emerge. The test also includes two internal controls for proper sampling and testing validation. The product can deliver results within two hours when extraction-free, making it both time and cost-efficient.

Seegene’s Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay is compatible with the company's fully automated 'AIOS' (All-in-One System). AIOS, the first fully automated high throughput MDx system for syndromic testing, supports "hands-free" PCR workflows – from nucleic acid extraction to PCR setup, gene amplification and results analysis. As AIOS is a fully automated (sample in – result out) system, it can be operated by those without PCR experience. AIOS is also compact in size and has over 30 compatible assays for syndromic testing to boost efficiency and utility, in contrast to conventional automated PCR solutions in the market that are bigger and have fewer applicable assays that detect only one to three specific targets.

AIOS is the world's first fully automated and "assembled" solution that composes independent and detachable instruments required for PCR, unlike other solutions that operate as a single unit. This makes AIOS convenient to use and maintain, while authorization procedures will be easier as existing instruments and assays can be applied. Such features are expected to allow small hospitals, local clinics, and public health centers to integrate AIOS into their workflows for PCR tests, which had been limited before due to lack of instruments or specialists to operate PCR solutions.

Seegene has also received CE-IVD marking for the saliva-based testing application for Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay and Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay, and both the products with the feature are now available in Europe. The new addition of saliva sample collection feature is set to offload burden of collecting large volume of specimen samples for healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the newly added feature, the saliva sample collection test can be used interchangeably with nasopharyngeal specimen collection test, normally used for multiplex real-time PCR tests for screening the novel coronavirus.

Seegene has also developed a PCR test to detect the monkeypox virus. The Novaplex MPXV Assay, which specifically targets the monkeypox virus, was developed using the company's AI-based automated test development system, known as SGDDS (Seegene Digitalized Development System), and technologies refined over 20 years of MDx expertise. The Novaplex MPXV Assay can identify positive cases of the monkeypox virus in 90 minutes.

Related Links:
Seegene, Inc.