GAITHERSBURG, MD and SEOUL, KOREA--(Marketwired - Nov 19, 2014) -  Seegene Inc. (KOSDAQ: 096530), a leading developer of multiplex PCR technologies, today announced that it has been issued a United States Patent, No. 8,809,239, for its tagging oligonucleotide capture and extension (TOCE™) technology, which enables highly multiplexed target amplification and detection in a single tube.

TOCE™ technology is now IP protected in the U.S., Korea, Singapore, and the Republic of South Africa, with a European patent expected in early 2015. The receipt of this U.S. patent is a significant milestone ahead of Seegene's planned entry into the United States, the largest molecular diagnostic market in the world.

"Our expanded patent portfolio provides critical support to our planned FDA submissions and potential collaborations with global in-vitro diagnostics companies," said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, founder, CTO and CEO of Seegene. "We expect our first U.S. FDA clearance for a TOCE™-based herpes simplex virus (HSV) I and II assay in 2015. In addition, we intend to further accelerate corporate growth by collaborating with global IVD players, such as Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, with whom we closed a long-term global ODM supply agreement last week."

Since TOCE™ technology was introduced in 2012 Seegene has commercialized seven TOCE™-based Anyplex II™ assays and obtained Korea FDA approvals and CE Marks for those tests. Furthermore, Seegene is actively expanding its global presence by distributing Anyplex II™ assays to molecular laboratories worldwide through distributors in 56 countries.

"In support of our mission to support the good health of humanity, Seegene is committed to the ongoing development of novel PCR chemistry technologies that enable faster, more accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostics," added Dr. Chun.

About Seegene
 Seegene is the world's leading developer of multiplex molecular technologies and multiplex clinical molecular diagnostics (M-MoDx). Seegene's core enabling technologies -- ACP™, DPO™, READ™, TOCE™, mTOCE™ and MuDT™ -- are the foundation for M-MoDx tests that can simultaneously detect multiple targets with high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. Seegene's products detect multi-pathogens with great reliability and throughput, ultimately providing the most economical basis for saving time, labor and cost. Seegene's mission is to maintain leadership in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacogenomics, and oncology using innovative proprietary technologies.

For more information please visit www.seegene.com or call +301-762-9066.