Seegene Introduces Fast and Accurate Diagnostic Test for Meningitis

DAYTONA, FL, Apr 20 (MARKET WIRE) --
25th Clinical Virology Symposium -- Seegene's Seeplex(R) Meningitis ACE
Detection test introduced today at the 2009 Clinical Virology Symposium
brings a novel and fast-acting multiplex PCR diagnostic technique to
simultaneously verify a complex range of pathogens that indicate
meningitis, a severely debilitating infection that if not diagnosed and
treated quickly can result in death.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the
brain and spinal cord, in which patients have flu like symptoms of fever
and aches/pains at the initial stage of infection. Early diagnosis to
identify whether meningitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection at
this early stage is critical for determining the correct course of
treatment. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe than the viral
meningitis and can cause brain damage, hearing loss, limb amputation,
learning disabilities and even death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.2 million cases of
bacterial meningitis occur every year around the world, out of which
135,000 are fatal. The WHO postulates that a significant number of viral
meningitis infections go undiagnosed in the absence of a standard
diagnostic tool to determine the infections.

The Seeplex Meningitis ACE Detection tests for 12 meningitis-causing
pathogens: five bacteria (S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae
type b, L. monocytogenes, and S. agalactiae); and seven viruses (HSV1,
HSV2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV6, and enteroviruses) from cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF).

Traditional methods of diagnosing meningitis rely on Culture and Gram
Staining, both of which have notable performance limitations that can
result in inaccurate diagnosis of meningitis. For example, culture of CSF
takes more than three days to obtain test results that can be muddied by
recent antibiotic use, contamination or fastidious bacteria.

Gram Staining, on the other hand, is one of the oldest microbiological
tests that differentiates between Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria. However,
Gram Staining is not able to identify the individual strain of bacteria.
This type of detailed information is necessary applying the correct
antibiotics that are capable of knocking-out certain meningitis causing
bacteria, and prevent its spread to other people.

"Seeplex(R) Meningitis ACE Detection provides accurate, rapid and
cost-effective meningitis diagnostics. The test is a clear break from
traditional methods of diagnosing meningitis, taking only six hours to
detect either bacterial or viral meningitis infection in an easy to use
testing format," said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, Founder and CEO of Seegene.
"This test will help to save lives and prevent unnecessary antibiotic
prescriptions by providing precise information of meningitis causing
pathogens at the earliest possible stage."

About Seegene

Seegene, Inc. is a biotechnology company specialized in molecular
diagnostics and research applications. It holds a novel detection platform
named "Seeplex," which sets a standard in high-throughput and simultaneous
multi-pathogen detection called "multiplexing." Seeplex technology
accurately detects multi-pathogens with high-throughput speed, ultimately
providing the most economical basis for saving time, labor and cost.
Seegene develops, manufactures and markets innovative molecular diagnostic
products and services to a worldwide community. Its mission is to maintain
leadership in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, genetics,
pharmacogenetics, and oncology, and chromosomal analyses using innovative
proprietary technologies. For more information please visit
www.seegene.com or call +301-762-9066.

Contacts:
Sang-Kil Lee, Ph.D.
Seegene Inc.
301-762-9066
Email Contact
or
Constantine Theodoropulos
Base Pair Communications
617-816-4397
Email Contact

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