Seegene and Werfen Finalize Partnership Agreement on Technology-Sharing Initiative
Posted on 09 Oct 2024
Seegene (Seoul, South Korea), a leading PCR molecular diagnostics company, and Werfen (Barcelona, Spain), a global diagnostics specialist, have finalized a partnership agreement as part of a technology-sharing initiative. The agreement outlines plans for the two companies to establish a NewCo in Spain, named Werfen-Seegene, following required government approvals, expected by the first half of 2025. This partnership expands on the technology-sharing initiative's momentum, which began with the first NewCo partnership in March 2023, alongside Hylabs (Rehovot, Israel), another leading diagnostic company.
The technology-sharing initiative aims to globally share Seegene’s cutting-edge diagnostic and data analysis technologies, such as syndromic real-time PCR and an automated product development system (SGDDS). Seegene’s syndromic real-time PCR technology is a significant innovation, enabling the simultaneous detection of up to 14 pathogens in a single reaction tube, providing quantitative data for each target. Partnering companies will work with local scientists and specialists to develop diagnostic tests tailored to their regional needs across various human, animal, and plant diseases. With climate change and rising outbreaks as pressing concerns, the broader vision of the initiative is to build "a world free from diseases"—a future where infectious diseases, cancer, and other health challenges are minimized for both humans and animals.
Seegene has also formed strategic alliances with Microsoft (Redmond, WA, USA) and Springer Nature (Berlin, Germany) to support the technology-sharing initiative. The collaboration with Microsoft aims to streamline product development by integrating advanced IT systems and AI-powered data analysis, benefiting companies worldwide. Springer Nature, through its Open Innovation Program (OIP) and the ‘Nature Awards MDx Impact Grants’ launched in 2024, is fostering innovation in PCR diagnostic technologies. The initiative aims to further expand these programs to support NewCos in collaborating with local researchers and experts for product development across various fields.
Werfen-Seegene will prioritize developing diagnostics for infectious diseases, including antimicrobial and drug resistance testing, viral load testing, monitoring organ transplant patients, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and emerging regional diseases. Leveraging Werfen’s strong local infrastructure and network, the NewCo will create products tailored to Spain’s healthcare needs. Spain, the fourth-largest in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market in Europe, will serve as a strategic hub for expanding the initiative across Europe and globally. Additionally, Werfen-Seegene will lead efforts to secure CE-IVDR approval for in vitro diagnostic medical devices, further driving the expansion of these innovations.
"Over the past decade, our collaboration with Seegene has showcased the significant impact of their syndromic PCR diagnostic tests on healthcare," said Carlos Pascual, CEO of Werfen. “We are excited to leverage Seegene's unparalleled technology and manufacturing expertise to develop products tailored for the Spanish and Portuguese market, where there is a high demand for rapid product development due to the frequent emergence of new infectious diseases and viral mutations. This partnership with Seegene will enable us to expand our footprint and respond swiftly to any outbreaks.”
"We have high expectations for this NewCo, which will combine Werfen's extensive business experience with Seegene's leading syndromic product development and production capabilities," added Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO and founder of Seegene. “We will continue to share our technology with leading global companies and countries that are interested in our technology-sharing initiative. Werfen-Seegene will play a pivotal role in accelerating global expansion of our initiative.”
Related Links:
Seegene
Werfen
Hylabs
Springer Nature
