NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – South Korea's Seegene has announced a joint venture in Mexico with Biodist Group to bring its PCR-based molecular diagnostics to the Latin American region.
Under the terms of the agreement, Seegene and Biodist will each hold a 50 percent stake in Biodist-Seegene Diagnostics. Seegene will license proprietary molecular diagnostics technologies and development expertise while Biodist will provide marketing and sales distribution.
Seegene's multiplex PCR reagents enable simultaneous detection and identification of multiple pathogens or targets. Among its offerings are tests for respiratory viruses and bacteria, sexually transmitted diseases, and bacterial pathogens causing meningitis and tuberculosis.
The firms said in a statement that the joint venture will "create new business opportunities to address the local market needs," creating products specifically for Mexico and other markets in Central and South America. Seegene added that it is looking to expand its technology into non-human in vitro diagnostics to address agricultural, marine products, and food safety testing industries.
The announcement comes a year after Seegene launched Concord, California-based Seegene Technologies, a US subsidiary.