ROCKVILLE, MD and SEOUL, KOREA--(Marketwire - April 07, 2011) - Seegene today launched its strategic push into personalized medicine by announcing a partnership with Samsung Medical Center to co-develop molecular diagnostics (MDx) for cancer. In this partnership Seegene will bring its molecular diagnostic technology leadership and Samsung Medical Center brings its clinical expertise and disease pathology to the development of new cancer MDx tests. Samsung Medical Center will also provide the first test sites for the tests. As part of Seegene’s initiatives in personalized medicine, the company will also develop new tests for drug resistance and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP).
Seegene’s new personalized medicine cancer tests will be based on its highly accurate and efficient multiplex PCR technology (DPO) and real-time PCR technology (READ), which will detect genetic mutations indicative of certain cancers. The initial tests to be developed will be for non small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma.
In the clinic oncologists will use these new molecular diagnostic tests to determine the genomic profile of a patient’s tumor to understand if the patient is likely to respond to cancer therapies, such as tamoxifen, or chemotherapy, or even if the cancer will return or metastasize.
Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, said, “Working with the world-class Samsung Medical Center, Seegene is well positioned to develop innovative new molecular diagnostics for cancer that will improve patient outcomes.”
“The predictive power of molecular diagnostics is reshaping how cancer is treated. By determining which sets of genes and gene interactions affect different subsets of cancers, our tests will give doctors the information needed to prescribe the right treatment, for the right person at the right time,” he added.
Dr. Do Hyun Nam, Head of Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, stated, “In order to cure cancers, it is necessary to diagnose the patient’s genetic information in molecular level. By collaborating with Seegene, it is anticipated to increase the effectiveness of treatment through early diagnosis.”
About Seegene
Seegene, Inc. is a leading molecular diagnostics company developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative “multiplex” (or “multi-pathogen detection”) molecular diagnostic products and services. It holds proprietary technologies of both PCR and Real-time PCR named ACP™, DPO™, and READ™, which sets a standard in high-throughput and simultaneous multi-pathogen detection called “multiplex PCR.” The novel multiplex Real-time PCR technology, READ™, overcomes the limitations of conventional Real-time PCR, providing dramatic improvement in sensitivity and specificity. Seegene holds three novel Molecular diagnostic platforms: Seeplex® system adapting DPO™ Technology, Anyplex™ and Magicplex™ system which are Real-time PCR detection platform adapting DPO™ and READ™ Technology. Seegene’s products detect multi-pathogens with great reliability and throughput, ultimately providing the most economical basis for saving time, labor and cost. Seegene’s mission is to maintain leadership in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacogenetics, and oncology using innovative proprietary technologies.
For more information please visit www.seegene.com or call +301-762-9066.
About Samsung Medical Center
Samsung Medical Center was founded on November 9, 1994 under the philosophy to ‘contribute to improving health of the nation through the best medical service, the advanced medical research and development of outstanding medical personnel’. Comprised of 40 departments, 8 special centers and over 110 special clinics, SMC is a tertiary hospital with 1,951 sickbeds where approximately 6,500 staffs including over 1,200 doctors and 2,000 nurses are working.
Contacts:
Miyoun Lee, MSc
Seegene Inc.
301-762-9066
or
Constantine Theodoropulos
Base Pair Communications
617-816-4637
