GC Genome Signs Supply Agreement for 'Non-Invasive Prenatal Test' in UAE

Laying the Foundation for Expanding the Service Portfolio, Including Rare Genetic Disease Testing

GC Genome, a company specializing in liquid biopsy and clinical genomics analysis, announced on May 27 that it has signed a supply agreement for its non-invasive prenatal test 'G-NIPT' with Vollwert Medical LLC, a medical device and healthcare distribution company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.

G-NIPT is a test developed with GC Genome's proprietary technology that uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect fetal DNA present in the mother's blood and identify chromosomal abnormalities. By introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the concept of fragment distance (FD) for the first time, the test has significantly improved detection accuracy and reliability compared to conventional methods.

Through this supply agreement, GC Genome plans to enhance brand awareness in the United Arab Emirates and, in the mid- to long-term, expand its market share. The United Arab Emirates is experiencing steadily increasing demand for early diagnosis of genetic diseases before birth, and the non-invasive prenatal testing market is reportedly growing at an annual rate of over 19%.

Vollwert Medical, GC Genome's partner, has built an extensive network of hospitals and clinics in the United Arab Emirates based on its long-standing experience in medical equipment and hospital systems. The company also has distribution channels in major Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, making it possible to expand services throughout the Middle East in the future.

Ki Changseok, CEO of GC Genome, stated, "Through our collaboration with Vollwert Medical, we plan to lay the foundation for expanding our service portfolio, including rare genetic disease testing," adding, "We will accelerate our entry into overseas markets based on our outstanding product capabilities."