S.Korea's Seegene develops first COVID-19 test kit that can detect multiple variants

Seegene

01/02/2021 06:38

SEOUL, Feb 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's Seegene Inc
 096530.KQ  said on Monday it developed the world's first
COVID-19 diagnostic test that is capable of identifying multiple
mutant variants of the virus in a single reaction. 
    The diagnostic kit maker said in a statement that the new
test kit, called the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay, can
detect and differentiate variations of the coronavirus,
including those found to be more contagious and fatal. 
    Seegene expects to begin exporting it to global markets such
as Europe in the current quarter, a spokeswoman said.
    Shares in Seegene closed up 8.9% after the announcement,
compared to a 2.7% rise in the broader market  .KS11  

 (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill)
 ((jungyoon.lee@tr.com; +82 2 6936 1467;))