Syndromic testing, which allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens related to similar symptoms, is gaining attention in the infectious disease diagnostics market. This method reduces the number of tests and the time required for diagnosis in areas where identifying the causative pathogen based solely on patient symptoms is challenging.
According to industry reports, global diagnostic companies are expanding their syndromic testing product lines. French company Biomerieux offers multiplex testing panels for respiratory, gastrointestinal, meningitis, encephalitis, and bloodstream infections through its BIOFIRE platform. Roche also provides multiplex testing panels for respiratory and bloodstream infections based on its cobas eplex system.
Respiratory infections exemplify the need for syndromic testing. A study published in the journal Diagnostics in 2023 found that among patients exhibiting influenza-like symptoms, approximately 36% to 40% of samples tested positive for two or more pathogens. Researchers noted that multiplex testing could aid in identifying co-infections in respiratory illnesses.
The market is expected to grow significantly. Market research firm Grand View Research projects that the global syndromic multiplex diagnostics market will expand from approximately $2.92 billion in 2024 to about $3.66 billion by 2030.
After a decline in demand for COVID-19 testing, Seegene has seen improved performance due to increased sales in its non-respiratory product lines, including human papillomavirus (HPV), sexually transmitted infections (STI), and gastrointestinal (GI) tests.
In the second quarter of this year, Seegene's non-respiratory product sales rose by 22.9% compared to the same period last year. Sales of HPV tests increased by 40.3%, while STI and GI sales grew by 20.7% and 13.9%, respectively. Overall, Seegene's consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 136 billion won, a 19.2% increase year-on-year. Operating profit surged by 586.4% to 21.6 billion won, and net profit turned positive at 26 billion won.
The company has been developing a syndromic PCR product portfolio capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating multiple pathogens in the HPV, STI, and GI fields. In the HPV and STI areas, Seegene offers products that not only confirm infections but also identify major types and co-infections. In the GI sector, the tests target a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Seegene stated, "We are also working to accumulate clinical evidence using actual test data." They added that by utilizing their PCR data analysis platform, STAgora, they recently analyzed respiratory test data from the past three and a half years, confirming instances of co-detection of viruses and pneumonia bacteria, among other findings.
Additionally, Seegene is accelerating its global expansion efforts. Its U.S. subsidiary, Seegene USA, recently received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Allplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay. This product can simultaneously detect herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and monkeypox virus (MPXV), which can cause similar symptoms.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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