LabGenomics Applies for International Patent on Essential Genetic Testing Method for Gout Treatment Drug 'Allopurinol'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] LabGenomics, a molecular diagnostics specialist company (CEO Jin Seunghyun), announced on the 19th that it has completed the international patent (PCT) application for a genetic testing method that can verify the suitability of allopurinol, a treatment for gout.

Gout, which causes severe pain so intense that even a breeze can hurt, is primarily caused by uric acid. The most commonly used first-line treatment drug for gout is 'allopurinol.' However, this drug is difficult to prescribe without genetic testing because the frequency of the genetic variant causing severe skin reactions (HLA-B*5801) is high among East Asians, including Koreans.

LabGenomics has filed an international patent for a testing method with high sensitivity and specificity to improve accessibility and reduce the cost burden of essential genetic testing for gout patients. Following the domestic patent, the completion of this international patent application is expected to accelerate the development of in vitro diagnostic medical devices targeting both the domestic and overseas markets.

LabGenomics plans to launch an all-out effort to target the relatively large gout markets in China, the United States, Spain, and other countries. Their strategy is to gain superiority in simplicity, accuracy, and price competitiveness in markets that currently rely on expensive tests (SBT, NGS testing methods) or imported products to detect HLA-B*5801.

A LabGenomics representative stated, “With both domestic and international patent applications completed, we plan to quickly complete the development of an accurate and simple HLA-B5801 genetic test kit and proceed with clinical trials. The gout genetic test kit will respond to domestic and international market demand through our recently completed Dongtan GMP in-house production, and we will reshape the global gout market by combining technological capability, productivity improvement, and price competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, the domestic prescription amount for gout treatment drugs in 2019 was approximately 34 billion KRW, growing about 50% compared to 2015. According to Grand View Research, the global gout treatment drug market, which was valued at 3 trillion KRW last year, is expected to rise sharply to 9.6 trillion KRW by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 16.1%.