Seegene and Springer Nature announce strategic alliance

Seegene Inc. a South Korean company providing a total solution for PCR molecular diagnostics, announced on May 16th the signing of a strategic alliance agreement with Springer Nature, the publisher of scientific journal, Nature.

Sharing common values in Springer Nature’s aim to advance discovery and Seegene working towards realizing a world free of diseases provides the basis for a natural alliance, added the publisher.

The new alliance will see the two companies use their joint expertise and knowledge to support researchers across the global scientific community to speed up PCR diagnostic testing of important but various disease areas.

PCR molecular diagnostics companies develop only a few diagnostic products annually. By leveraging the Springer Nature network, the two companies say they will provide funding and technology to global scientists and experts in various fields, broadening the range and potential of diagnostic products.

This initiative, spearheaded by senior management at both companies, builds upon the success of the Open Innovation Program that was launched by the two companies in 2023 whose goal was to develop innovative diagnostic products with participation of the scientific community.

Both companies say they will expand their collaboration using the OneSystem business by identifying and promoting potential partners as well as co-hosting annual symposiums starting with a joint declaration this year.

“We are thrilled to deepen our strategic relationship with Springer Nature, an authoritative leader in the global scientific community,” said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO and founder of Seegene. “Together, we will work to advance the success of the SG OneSystem business and to realize ‘a world free of diseases’.”

“Springer Nature applauds Seegene’s effort to democratize early diagnosis of multiple diseases to enable timely treatment,” said Frank Vrancken Peeters, CEO of Springer Nature. “This noble goal can only be achieved through collaborations. As a trusted partner to the research community, Springer Nature will help to build a global network of experts who, using Seegene’s technology, can accelerate the development of new tests for a wide range of conditions.”

Seegene and Springer Nature say they received significant interest from the global scientific community for the inaugural Open Innovation Program launched in 2023. The program, comprising 15 projects, received a total of 281 applications from 47 countries, resulting in a competitive ratio of 11 to 1 for the selection of 26 applicants. Recognizing the potential of technology-sharing, the two companies aim to expedite the commercialization of expertise and knowledge across various fields. This year marks the second iteration of the program, which will depart from the 2023 model of predefined product development. Instead, the 2024 program will adopt a more open format, allowing applicants to propose for any product development.

“We have high expectations for the Open Innovation Program to contribute to the democratization of PCR molecular diagnostics,” said Marc Spenlé, COO of Springer Nature. “Together with Seegene, we will create an ecosystem that encourages and accelerates the development of new tests to address currently unmet needs.”