Seegene Unveils Exclusive Diagnostic System for Diagnosing COVID-19 Variants

Seegene, Inc. (Seoul, Korea) has introduced a unique system for diagnosing COVID-19 variants at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology (ECCMID) 2021.

Seegene's Dr. Guy Willem Lee, Director of Marketing Strategy introduced the diagnostic system at ECCMID 2021under the theme of "SARS-CoV-2 and Variants 'Full Screening' Solution" using its latest COVID-19 variant diagnostic tests. The 'Full Screening Solution' is a one-step system that can verify whether an individual has contracted coronavirus wildtype or the virus variant with a single real-time PCR test. Currently, health authorities are forced to go through an extra round of genomic sequencing to distinguish the existence of COVID-19 variants after standard PCR tests, automatically leading to a more prolonged testing time.

Against the backdrop of Seegene's 'Full Screening Solution' are the company's latest variant diagnostic tests, the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay and Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay. The Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master is an ideal way of screening for the COVID-19, as it provides results of whether a person is positive of the COVID-19 or even its variants. After an initial round of testing, Seegene's Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay will help identify multiple mutant variations in a single reaction.

The Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay can detect a total of 10 targets including four coronavirus genes (E gene, RdRP gene, N gene and S gene) as well as five defined virus variants notably spotted in the most recognized lineages including B1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and B.1.1.207. Seegene's variant diagnostic test is the first such kind to simultaneously detect multiple coronavirus genes and differentiate virus variations, including those found to be more contagious and fatal. It is an ideal and economic way of screening coronavirus genes as the pandemic continues to rage with both the wildtype and its virus variants.

Lee proposed that the system would play a critical role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 pandemic amid fast spreading virus variants.

“The backdrop of Korea's outstanding control at the onset of the pandemic is because of the one-platform diagnostic system that enables mass testing," said Lee. He added that “the system enabled the diagnostic process from sample collection through PCR testing all at once, helping local authorities to quickly control the pandemic.”

"A swift diagnostic system is extremely critical in helping to control the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic," added Dr. Nakmoon Sung of Seegene Medical Foundation. "The one-step and accurate diagnostics will become the global standard in detecting coronavirus and other respiratory diseases, for the purpose of accurate treatment".