[Asia Economy Reporter Ji-hwan Park] As the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is occurring worldwide, the stock prices of companies related to diagnostic kits are also rising significantly. Among experts, there is an analysis that the strong performance of diagnostic kit companies could be maintained at least through this year.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 11th, Seegene, the leading company in diagnostic kits, closed at 172,500 KRW on the 10th, up 22,900 KRW (15.31%) from the previous trading day. During the day, it rose to 186,200 KRW, achieving a 52-week high. At the beginning of this year, the stock price was in the 30,000 KRW range but surged sharply as attention increased due to the COVID-19 situation.
Other diagnostic kit stocks have also fluctuated significantly. LabGenomics traded at 26,250 KRW, up 12.90% from the previous trading day. SuzenTec (9.12%), Osang Jaiel (6.28%), EDGC (29.87%), and Access Bio (11.14%) also saw substantial increases.
Domestic COVID-19 molecular diagnostic kits are also continuing to obtain Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the 7th, Access Bio announced that it had received FDA emergency use approval for its molecular diagnostic kit. Access Bio plans to produce locally in the U.S. to minimize lead time and maximize competitiveness as a U.S. company.
The COVID-19 situation is becoming increasingly prolonged. According to Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 tally on the 9th (local time), a total of 65,551 new COVID-19 infections were reported in the U.S. within the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily count ever recorded.
The resurgence in Japan is also serious. In Tokyo, the capital, daily new confirmed cases exceeded 400 for the first time in two months, spreading infections rapidly. It is the first time in 77 days since April 24 that daily infections surpassed 400. In South Korea, 40 to 60 new confirmed cases are occurring daily.
Minjung Sun, a researcher at Hana Financial Investment, stated, "The COVID-19 pandemic is not a one-time event but can be considered a long-term event lasting more than three years."
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