[News]SML Genetree, has developed a molecular diagnostics kit for identifying major mutations of COVID-19 such as Omicron

SML Genetree, has developed a molecular diagnostics kit for identifying major mutations of COVID-19 such as Omicron


SML Genetree (CEO Ahn Ji-hoon), a molecular diagnostics company, has completed the development of a molecular diagnostic kit  designed to  identify all major mutant viruses of COVID-19, including Omicron, which is rapidly spreading worldwide.


SML Genetree’s new product 'Ezplex SARS-CoV2 VOC Real-time PCR Kit' can identify all major mutant virus of COVID-19 classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron mutations using RNA extracted from human upper and lower respiratory tract samples.


In terms of product performance, analytical sensitivity of the product was determined to be 1 copy/uL. Based on this and other studies,  SML Genetree plans to submit to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea for formal approval and an export license within a year.


The COVID-19 Omicron mutant virus was named Omicron and classified as a major variant virus (Variants of Concern) by the evaluation of the Virus Evolution Technical Advisory Group at the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 26, 2021.


According to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), the severity of Omicron is similar to that of other mutations, but compared to the Delta mutation, Omicron has the potential for immunity evasion as well as faster replication and greater superspreading capability.


Jihoon Ahn, CEO of SML Genetree, says, "As a leading innovation company in molecular diagnostics, we are building a comprehensive pipeline of molecular diagnostic solutions related to COVID-19 diagnosis. Following the product that detects COVID-19, we plan to become a company that further contributes to national quarantine and public health promotion in this pandemic based on the launch of a product that detects all major mutations of COVID-19."


SML Genetree, a molecular diagnostic solution company under the Samkwang Biotree Group, is a company that has successfully developed and licensed products ranging from infectious disease-focused PCR products to NGS panels that can diagnose cancer or rare diseases.



Excerpted from 2021.12.13 // Medical Today // Junsoo Kim (junsoo@mt.co.kr)