Seegene has announced the development of a new laboratory automation platform called CURECA, which is designed to automate the complete polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing process.
The system forms part of the company’s broader initiative to streamline molecular diagnostics through full workflow integration.
The company plans to present a conceptual introduction of CURECA at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Global 2025 congress in Vienna, scheduled for 11–15 April.
CURECA, an acronym for Continuous Unlimited Random access Expandable and Customisable full Automation, is being developed as a modular solution to support continuous, high-throughput PCR testing.
The system will comprise two main components, which include the customisable pre-treatment system (CPS) and the customisable and expandable full automation (CEFA) unit.
The CPS module is intended to automate sample pre-treatment procedures, including specimen sorting, vortexing, centrifugation, and heat treatment. It is being designed to handle various clinical sample types such as blood, urine, stool, and sputum, replacing processes traditionally conducted manually by laboratory staff.
Seegene has indicated that the CPS module may also be used independently of the full CURECA system in areas such as biochemistry, immunodiagnostics, and haematology.
The CEFA unit is expected to perform the remaining phases of PCR testing, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR setup, gene amplification, and result analysis. Seegene is developing the system to support continuous processing, with the aim of enabling laboratories to conduct 24/7 automated testing.
Seegene founder and CEO Jong-Yoon Chun said: “Until now, there has been no system capable of fully automating pre-treatment processing for all specimen types, which has prevented true automation in MDx.
“We aim to define a new global benchmark and help reshape the future of MDx.”
The CURECA system is being developed with a modular architecture to support flexible deployment across laboratories with varying operational requirements. Its configuration is intended to allow integration with existing workflows while supporting different testing capacities.
At ESCMID Global 2025, Seegene will present a simulated workflow showing how CURECA manages PCR testing from initial sample receipt to final result output. The company has stated that the system is intended to provide full automation across all stages of the process, with a focus on operational continuity and reduced manual handling.
