JW Bioscience Launches On-site Diagnostic Device 'JWELIX Q6'

JW Bioscience 'JWELIX Q6'

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] JW Bioscience, a subsidiary of JW Life Science, announced on the 14th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development and launch of the high-sensitivity point-of-care testing device ‘JWELICS Q6’ in collaboration with Microdigital, a precision diagnostics company.

Under this MOU, JW Bioscience will secure exclusive worldwide sales rights for the JWELICS Q6 jointly developed with Microdigital, and will be responsible for the development and sales of diagnostic cartridges installed in the JWELICS Q6. Microdigital will be in charge of follow-up development and production to enhance the performance of the JWELICS Q6, which will enter full-scale mass production next year.

JWELICS Q6 is a chemiluminescence immunoassay device that quantitatively measures antigens, antibodies, and specific biomarkers contained in human whole blood, plasma, serum, and nasopharyngeal secretions to diagnose various diseases as a point-of-care testing (POCT) device. It can measure up to six samples and provides results within 30 minutes. It completed registration as an in vitro diagnostic medical device with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2020.

Based on chemiluminescence analysis technology, it features an active pump that enables precise early diagnosis with sensitivity equivalent to large automated equipment. The active pump, developed by Microdigital as the world’s first repetitive cleaning technology, dramatically removes cartridge residues to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Kim Kyungnam, CEO of Microdigital, said, “We are highly optimistic about targeting the POCT market, which is monopolized by global companies, together with JW Bioscience,” adding, “We will actively expand our precision diagnostics business through R&D and expansion of production facilities for POCT.”

Lee Sungyeol, CEO of JW Bioscience, also said, “We are currently developing infectious disease early diagnosis bio-panels to be installed in JWELICS Q6, including early sepsis diagnostic biomarkers, COVID-19 antigen and antibody rapid diagnostic kits, and cardiac disease biomarkers,” and added, “We will further strengthen our partnership with Microdigital to achieve results in the rapidly growing global POCT market.”