Seegene Inc., a leading South Korean company providing a total solution for PCR molecular diagnostics, has developed its PCR test assays in response to the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) declared by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) on the global spread of mpox.

The products, which are intended for research use only (RUO), include Novaplex MPXV/OPXV Assay (RUO) and Novaplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay (RUO). In particular, Novaplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay (RUO) is designed to detect four viruses including mpox virus and other key sexually transmitted infections (STI)-causing pathogens.

Novaplex MPXV/OPXV Assay is designed to detect pathogens caused by Orthopoxviruses, including Clades 1 and 2 of the mpox virus. It enables early differentiation of mpox, which has a long incubation period of up to 21 days.

Novaplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay (RUO) is designed to detect Clade 1 and Clade 2 of the mpox virus, while also distinguishing between Clade 2 of the mpox virus. If the test results are negative for Clade 2, researchers can infer the presence of Clade 1.

Seegene previously developed Novaplex MPXV (RUO) in 2022 using its advanced Seegene Digitalised Development System (SGDDS), which was developed based on Seegene's expertise to rapidly create and deploy new assays.

“We will closely collaborate with governments around the world that need assays and plan to supply them with products meeting the needs of their respective markets." said Daniel Shin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer at Seegene.