DigitalOptic "NobleBio Accelerates Development of New COVID-19 Saliva Collection Kit"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Digital Optic announced on the 8th that, together with its largest shareholder Noble Bio, it is developing a saliva collection kit that enhances convenience and accuracy in addition to the existing rapid diagnostic kits.

The saliva testing method uses saliva for diagnostic testing, which significantly reduces specimen collection time, allowing for faster diagnostic testing. Since rapid COVID-19 testing facilitates early detection of asymptomatic cases, the government introduced the saliva testing method in December last year.

Currently, saliva collection kits distributed in the market lack preservation solution, resulting in lower accuracy, such as false negatives despite positive COVID-19 diagnostic results. The saliva collection kit being developed by Noble Bio includes a nucleic acid preservation solution, addressing the weaknesses of existing saliva collection kits.

Additionally, Noble Bio has secured core technology that prevents contamination during saliva collection, raising expectations for increased demand for Noble Bio’s new saliva collection kit.

Digital Optic plans to complete the development of the saliva collection kit with Noble Bio as soon as possible and to actively supply it domestically and internationally based on its global network.

A company representative stated, “As saliva testing, which allows for simpler testing compared to other COVID-19 diagnostic methods, is being actively implemented, the importance of Noble Bio’s new saliva collection kit, which has superior accuracy compared to existing saliva collection kits, will increase,” adding, “Digital Optic plans to expand its diagnostic bio business and increase sales through the development of the new saliva collection kit.”