Seegene's Syndromic Test Detects 21 Targets for 19 Respiratory Viruses in Single Sample, Including COVID-19 and Flu

The world has turned its focus to living with COVID-19 endemically and relaxed social distancing and mask restrictions have created an environment for various respiratory viruses to circulate with ease. Symptoms of COVID-19, such as coughing and fever, can also be a sign of other respiratory infections. A recent study showed that patients who contracted both COVID-19 and flu had more than double the risk of death, while the need for invasive medical ventilation jumped by four-fold. This makes testing critical for proper care as treatments can vary by infection type and to reduce the potential of co-infection. Now, a new test detects 21 targets for 19 respiratory viruses in single tube, including COVID-19 and flu.

Seegene, Inc.’s (Seoul, Korea) Allplex RV Master Assay can distinguish 21 targets for 19 different respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and common colds. Specifically, the assay can identify three genes of COVID-19, Flu A, Flu B, metapneumovirus, two types of respiratory syncytial virus, four types of parainfluenza virus, six types of adenovirus and three types of human rhinovirus. The syndromic test allows medical specialists to swiftly find out which viruses are making the patient sick with a single sample.

Seegene's independent clinical test recently conducted in Europe using the Allplex RV Master Assay on 1,928 people found that 16.5% (318 people) tested positive for respiratory viruses, excluding COVID-19. Of that figure, 6.9% (22 people) had contracted two or more viruses. The Allplex RV Master Assay has been designed in consideration of countries shifting policies to get everyday life back to normal. The Allplex RV Master Assay has received approval from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration and also achieved the European CE-IVD marking.

"Allplex RV Master Assay can detect respiratory viruses that can occur all-year round to simplify the diagnostic of the 'new normal' respiratory virus composition," said Dr. Tove Havnhøj Frandsen of Hospital of Southern Jutland/RenTov Consult, who led Seegene's clinical test in Europe. "The assay is expected to be well-utilized as winter approaches in Australia and South America and as the world turns to live with COVID-19 endemically."

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