#South Korea #Seoul #Seegene #CURECA #PCR Automation

Seegene Unveils CURECA™: A New Era in PCR Automation

In an exciting development for the field of molecular diagnostics, Seegene Inc., a global leader in MDx solutions, has introduced CURECA™, a comprehensive automation system designed to streamline the entire PCR testing process. CURECA™ made a significant impact recently at the ESCMID Global 2025 conference in Vienna, where Seegene revealed a concept video that captivated industry professionals.

Highlights from ESCMID Global 2025

The conference, held from April 11 to 15, attracted over 2,300 attendees, including key representatives from countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and Canada. The launch of the CURECA™ concept video drew significant attention, with many visitors expressing interest in its potential to revolutionize laboratory workflows. Young-Seag Baeg, Seegene's head of Strategy and Planning, provided insights about the CURECA™ system, emphasizing its design tailored for future integration into automated laboratory environments.

Response from industry experts has been overwhelmingly positive, with many recognizing CURECA™ as a pivotal advancement in automating the complete PCR workflow, from sample management to result analysis. As one attendee noted, “The booth received considerable media attention, showcasing the widespread interest in automated solutions.”

A Promising Solution for Molecular Diagnostics

CURECA™ is designed to autonomously manage a variety of sample types, including stool, urine, blood, and sputum, crucial for molecular diagnostics. According to professionals in attendance, automating the pretreatment of samples could signify a paradigm shift in the execution of laboratory tests.

Comments from attendees further highlighted expectations for CURECA™ to simplify operational workflows while eliminating potential errors commonly encountered in manual processes. There is optimism surrounding the system's capabilities, especially in managing complex workflows typical of molecular diagnostics.

A Game-Changer in Laboratory Automation

The primary component of the CURECA™ system is the Customizable Pre-Treatment System (CPS). This modular system aims to significantly enhance the efficiency of sample pretreatment processes across various diagnostic sectors. Baeg elaborated, “The CPS is created to facilitate sample loading and pre-treatment operations efficiently, making it ideal not only for molecular diagnostics but also for clinical chemistry and immunological testing.”

Following the presentation, many laboratory professionals acknowledged the transformative potential of fully automated diagnostic workflows, citing that CURECA™ could address the limitations of current manual protocols that require specialized laboratory skills. Julia, a laboratory manager from Spain, remarked, “The turnaround time will improve because the integrated software can adapt workflows according to reporting deadlines. This flexibility is particularly critical for sexually transmitted infection testing, where manual handling of samples often leads to operator fatigue.”

Innovative and Modular Design

Beyond sample pretreatment, CURECA™ encompasses the extraction of nucleic acids, PCR preparation, and result analysis. For samples requiring no pretreatment, Seegene offers the Primary Sample Aliquot System (PAS), allowing for direct loading and dispensing of primary samples to streamline workflows further. Seegene is also working on integrating the PAS with a fully automated PCR process through a modular solution known as CEFA (Customizable Expandable Full Automation), enhancing flexibility to meet varying laboratory demands.

Tailored Solutions for Each Laboratory

A notable advantage of CURECA™’s modular architecture is its adaptability to diverse laboratory spaces and layouts. Laboratories can configure the system to their specific operational needs, a feature that is deemed essential for optimizing workflow efficiency. Feedback from professionals at ESCMID reaffirmed the excitement surrounding this adaptable feature, highlighting its capability to yield high-quality results while minimizing reliance on standardized configurations and personnel resources.

Conclusion

The enthusiasm surrounding the CURECA™ concept video and its vision signals a robust market demand for next-generation diagnostic solutions. As Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, stated, “We believe that CURECA™ has the potential to generate significant change in the global landscape of PCR diagnostics.” With such a promising start, the upcoming official launch of CURECA™ in July 2025 is eagerly anticipated by the medical and scientific community alike.