South Korean biotech companies are quickly moving to join the market of diagnostic system that detects Zika virus infections, while the first known case of a person contracting Zika has been confirmed in the country.

Early detection is a must to stop the virus from spreading as it enables early patient isolation and treatment. Multiple Korean diagnostics companies have developed diagnostic kits to detect the virus, leading to export deals or regulatory approval.

Bioneer Corp. received approval from Korean health authorities on Mar. 14 to export its molecular diagnostic kit for Zika infections to Europe. The company also signed a contract early this month to supply its molecular diagnostic systems to a Korean company Gen Body Inc.

Gen Body also signed contracts to provide diagnostic kits for Zika, dengue, chikungunya virus infections to Bahia Farma, a state-run pharmaceutical company in Brazil. A Gen Body official said the Brazilian company is likely to win approval from local authorities sometime next week and the supply will continue for five years after regulatory approval and registration.

Access Bio Inc. said it began a clinical trial for its immunoassay kit for the Zika virus. The company attracted $8 million from Global Health Investment Fund structured from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). A company official said the clinical trial will be conducted through a testing agency PECET in Colombia and the company plans to cut its kit costs and ramp up production to allow people in the third world to get greater access to its kit.

Solgent Co. received CE mark approval or its Zika virus diagnostic kit. CE mark is a passport for product sales in Europe. CE certification shows that a product conforms to the required regulations and can be distributed within EU territory.

Green Cross MS Corp. received approval from the Ministry of Health and Ministry last Friday to export Genedia, a molecular diagnostic kit for Zika infections. The company said it will conduct multinational clinical trials to get the recommendation from the WHO.

By Shin Chan-ok

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