Seegene Inc., a biotechnology firm specializing in molecular diagnostics has once again been recognized for its unique system for diagnosing COVID-19 variants at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology, the ECCMID.

Seegene's Dr. Guy Willem Lee, Director of Marketing Strategy introduced the diagnostic system under the theme of "SARS-CoV-2 and Variants 'Full Screening' Solution" using its latest COVID-19 variant diagnostic tests. "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."

The effectiveness of the current diagnostic system, however had been put to question due to a growing number of COVID-19 variants spreading fast, with reports saying vaccines may not offer enough protection against them. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention have previously said variants are poised to drive an increase in new cases in the U.S. in May after having projected that the global COVID-19 cases will sharply increase over the continuous surge in variants.

Seegene's 'Full Screening Solution,' Director Lee proposed that the one-step system can verify whether an individual has contracted coronavirus wildtype or the virus variant with a single real-time PCR test. The company's latest variant diagnostic tests, the Allplex^TM SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay and Allplex^TM SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay. The Allplex^TM 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^TM SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay will help identify multiple mutant variations in a single reaction.

Singene's Allplex^TM 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.