April 26, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Seegene said on Jan. 3 that it has developed molecular diagnostic assays in four days by using an artificial intelligence system.

The two types of reagents are designed to detect eight gene targets with a single amplification reaction to screen patients with meningitis and sexually transmitted infections. 

Seegene founder and CEO Chun Jong-yoon

The KOSDAQ-listed company utilized an artificial intelligence system with big data on pathogen and disease information as well as its self-developed algorithm that automatically produces diagnostic reagents in a significantly reduced development period.

“Previously, it took more than a year to develop a product with seasoned scientists, but the AI system enabled cutting down the time to only four days,” a company official said.

Seegene CEO Chun Jong-yoon said he believed the automation technology will pave the way for vitalization of molecular tests.

“The AI system will help lower the high diagnostics costs, which is the biggest obstacle for molecular tests by shortening developing costs and time,” he said.

The move is a part of Seegene’s goal dubbed ‘Project 100,’ seeking to develop 100 multiplex molecular diagnostics assays by 2018 in various areas such as infectious diseases, cancer and drug resistance, to diversify its product portfolio.

The firm will seek to gain European Conformity Marking, the official stamp of approval to launch products in the market, on the reagent products this year, it said.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)