President Moon Jae-in Visits Diagnostic Reagent Company to Encourage... "Rapidly Identifying Confirmed Cases Saves Lives"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the morning of the 25th, President Moon Jae-in visited Seegene, a company developing and producing diagnostic reagents for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), saying, "Recently, there have been many official requests for diagnostic reagents from governments along with export consultations at the private sector level," and added, "There is much for companies and the government to work on together. Let's turn this crisis into an opportunity and create a new model of global cooperation."
President Moon encouraged company officials who were present that day as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 24th the request for Korea's diagnostic kits support.
President Moon said, "Quickly identifying one confirmed case saves the life of the confirmed patient and is the beginning of quarantine," adding, "Korea is achieving results in quarantine with fast testing, fast confirmation, fast isolation, and fast treatment, as well as the highest accuracy of testing in the world.
President Moon explained, "I visited Seegene, a COVID-19 diagnostic reagent development company, to show the public today how great and proud the achievements of our diagnostic reagent manufacturers are, and to give hope to the international community," adding, "I also invited the CEOs of Kogen Biotech, Solgent, SD Biosensor, and Bioseum, who have received emergency use approval together."
President Moon praised the fact that research institute employees are participating in production due to the large volume of diagnostic reagent orders both domestically and internationally.
President Moon emphasized, "You are at the forefront of overcoming the virus. Our COVID-19 quarantine, which is globally recognized as excellent, starts with you."
President Moon said, "We have already exported a large volume overseas, contributing to quarantine efforts worldwide. I heard that Seegene's export ratio reaches 95%. We are contributing to quarantine efforts in countries around the world and also supporting our economy," adding, "True ability is revealed in times of crisis. Since mid-January, when there were no confirmed cases in Korea, you started developing diagnostic reagents earlier than any other company in the world and significantly shortened the development period by utilizing artificial intelligence."
President Moon explained, "Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, the testing time, which used to take more than a day, has been reduced to within six hours. The five companies here are producing enough for 135,000 tests per day," adding, "The government has also greatly relaxed regulations to support crisis response and private sector innovation."
President Moon said, "The approval process, which usually takes about a year and a half, was completed in just one week. I cannot help but praise the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for swiftly handling the administrative process." He also urged to maximize mask production for students as the school reopening approaches.
President Moon pledged, "The government will continue to play an active role not only in R&D investment for therapeutic development and the establishment of a novel virus research institute reflected in this supplementary budget but also in strengthening the competitiveness of our entire bio-venture industry."
Furthermore, President Moon said, "Global cooperation has become very urgent in both quarantine and the economy. Our companies' diagnostic capabilities will play a significant role in global cooperation," explaining, "The WHO has pointed to Korea as a model case for COVID-19 response, citing Korea's innovative testing strategy development, thorough contact tracing, testing, and isolation."
President Moon said, "Recently, U.S. CNN visited Seegene and focused on how the diagnostic kit was made in just three weeks. Leading foreign media are showing great interest in our rapid diagnostic technology, swift approval, and quarantine response," adding, "On behalf of the people, I would like to thank you once again for giving us confidence in overcoming COVID-19."
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