Seegene, Microsoft and Springer Nature have joined forces to create a global disease surveillance system. South Korean PCR diagnostics specialist Seegene has built an ecosystem using Microsoft's AI-powered analytics platform and Springer Nature's network within the scientific community to detect and combat future pandemics earlier. With the collaboration, the three parties aim to set a new standard for global healthcare and disease prevention.
Seegene already made its presence felt during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing more than 340 million PCR tests in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company has developed a so-called syndromic PCR technology that can simultaneously identify up to 14 pathogens with overlapping symptoms, which it says is a key asset for diagnosing complex infections. With this technology, infection profiles can be determined more quickly and accurately, which is essential for timely and targeted treatments.
Seegene's focus is not just on technology, however. Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, emphasizes that the technology must also be made available globally to achieve a world without disease. Therefore, Seegene shares its PCR technology and automated development systems with partner companies through the OneSystem initiative, allowing them to develop local diagnostic products that meet specific local health needs.
AI support
To make the platform as efficient as possible, Microsoft is providing its AI analytics platform Fabric. This allows large amounts of data to be processed and analyzed. According to Seegene, this enables the company to detect outbreaks early, identify at-risk groups even before symptoms manifest, and allow those affected to optimize their preparedness as quickly as possible. This helps the healthcare system respond more quickly and efficiently to new outbreaks and potential pandemics.
At an event organized by the three collaboration partners in London last October, the first results of this AI support were presented in the presence of the international daily and trade press. Among them were the analyses of test results automated by Seegene's system. Whereas some analyses require several weeks, the collaboration time reduces this to a few days or even hours in some cases, it turned out.
Scientific collaboration
Whereas Microsoft and Seegene are handling the technological aspects, Springer Nature is helping to mobilize the global scientific community. Through its platform, researchers around the world can access Seegene's technology and optimize their PCR diagnostics. According to Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, this not only promotes scientific collaboration, but also enables faster introduction of new, locally relevant diagnostic tests.
One manifestation of this collaboration is the NewCo model, in which Seegene establishes local partnerships. Parties such as Spain's Werfen and Israel's Hy Laboratories, for example, are developing diagnostic products based on Seegene's technologies specifically tailored to the health challenges of their regions. Spain and Israel are the first regional partners, but Seegene is working to expand this further.
Global fight against disease
This collaboration between Seegene, Microsoft and Springer Nature marks an important step toward a world where healthcare is not just reactive, but preventive and data-driven, according to the three participants. By combining AI, advanced PCR diagnostics and scientific collaboration, the companies involved are together creating a future where emerging pandemics can be detected and addressed earlier.
“With this collaborative initiative, we want to ensure that the world is better prepared for potential virus outbreaks,” said Jong-Yoon Chun. “By sharing our technology, we will be able to act quickly and efficiently in the future. As the world increasingly feels the threat of pandemics, potentially amplified by factors such as climate change and relentless global travel, collaboration to address global health challenges has become more important than ever.”
