Seegene, a diagnostics corporations that surpassed 1 trillion won in annual sales thanks to the COVID-19 boom, is seeking a rebound by pushing non-respiratory diagnostics. Sales, which had slumped to the 300 billion won range with the COVID endemic, are expected to top 500 billion won again this year.
According to FnGuide, a financial information firm, Seegene's consolidation sales this year are forecast at 532.3 billion won and operating profit at 78.4 billion won. Sales would be up 12% from last year, and operating profit up 127%. Net profit is projected at 91 billion won, up 88% from last year.
Seegene emerged as a representative beneficiary corporations during the pandemic by launching COVID test kits. Seegene's consolidation sales surged more than 820% in one year from 122 billion won in 2019 to 1.1252 trillion won in 2020 as testing demand spiked. In 2021, they peaked at 1.3708 trillion won.
But as COVID waned and testing demand plunged, results also fell quickly. Seegene's sales decreased to 853.6 billion won in 2022 and then dropped to 367.4 billion won in 2023. Compared with the peak, that is a decline of more than 70%.
Seegene is pursuing a recovery by reshaping its business around non-respiratory diagnostics. Seegene's sales are on an upward trend, at 414.3 billion won in 2024 and 474.2 billion won in 2025. Brokerages expect the figure to return to the 500 billion won range this year.
At the center of the rebound are diagnostics for human papillomavirus (HPV), sexually transmitted infections, and gastrointestinal infections. In the first quarter, Seegene's sales from these non-respiratory diagnostics each rose more than 30% from a year earlier.
HPV is transmitted through sexual contact and is cited as a cause of cervical cancer. Seegene's HPV diagnostic product can test for 28 types, including high-risk and low-risk groups. A Seegene official said, "In the first quarter, the HPV product won major bids, and testing demand is increasing."
Sexually transmitted infection diagnostics are also cited as a growth pillar. Because such infections can spread to others even without symptoms, accurately identifying the causative pathogens is important. Seegene says it can test for various pathogens such as chlamydia, gonococcus, and ureaplasma in a single run. In addition, gastrointestinal infection diagnostics that detect norovirus, rotavirus, and others are also lifting sales.
Seegene is focusing not only on test types but also on technology. It is nurturing Cureica and StarGora—platforms that automate PRC (gene amplification) testing and analyze results in real time—as mid- to long-term growth engines.
Cureica automates the PCR testing process. From sample loading to preprocessing, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and result analysis, it can be handled unmanned without manual work. The company says it can streamline repetitive testing steps and reduce errors.
StarGora collects PCR test results in real time and analyzes them. Medical staff can grasp overseas infectious disease trends. A company official said, "We are accelerating the final steps toward commercializing Cureica," and "we plan to focus on expanding StarGora's overseas presence."