[이코노믹리뷰=곽예지 기자] With the number of new corona19 confirmed cases in Korea reaching 20,000 every day, the demand for rapid antigen kits that can self-test is rapidly increasing. The spread of Omicron mutation and the new quarantine system that started on the 3rd are also expected to boost the demand for rapid antigen kits.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on the 3rd, there were 22,907 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Korea as of 00:00 on the same day. It recorded 20,000 units for two days in a row, following 20,270 on the 1st.
In Korea, the omicron-mutated virus has established itself as the dominant species, and the number of new confirmed cases is on the rise. Recently, the detection rate of Omicron mutations among domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases has risen to about 80%.
From this day (3rd), the diagnostic test and treatment system were changed due to the surge in demand for COVID-19 tests due to the spread of Omicron. Previously, tests were conducted using real-time gene amplification (PCR) at screening clinics and temporary screening laboratories, but starting today, only high-risk groups can receive PCR tests. People under the age of 60 and those who need a quarantine pass must first undergo rapid antigen testing.
The demand for rapid antigen test kits is expected to increase sharply due to the change of the quarantine system. There are about 74 companies that have obtained permission for expert testing in Korea, but SD Biosensor (137310) and Humasys are currently producing rapid antigen test kits that have obtained permission from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for self-test in Korea. (205470) and Rapigen, there are only three.
In fact, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will supply 6.86 million rapid antigen test kits for the next two weeks to screening clinics in 256 public health centers across the country. In addition, 9.6 million self-test kits will be provided for individuals to purchase at pharmacies and online shopping malls. This is about 18 times the amount of about 530,000 in the second week of January, before the announcement of the plan to reorganize the COVID-19 testing system.
Demand for rapid antigen test kits is expected to increase in domestic as well as overseas markets. Recently, most of the measures against mandatory use of vaccine passes and masks have been lifted in Europe and other parts of the world. As the With Corona virus intensifies, the demand for regular inspections at public facilities such as schools and airports is expected to increase.
The US government announced the additional distribution of 500 million rapid antigen kits in January, and the demand for rapid antigen kits in Europe and other Asian countries is expected to increase in the future due to the prolonged Corona 19 and the spread of Omicron mutations. In the case of SD biosensors, their entry into the European market and the supply scale in Southeast Asia are rapidly expanding through their partner Roche.
An SD Biosensor official said, “The demand for rapid antigen kits is increasing in Korea due to the conversion of the quarantine system, etc., and contracts for diagnostic kits are also occurring one after another due to the With Corona conversion around the world. is,” he said.
Shinhan Financial Investment analyst Won Jae-hee said, “The rapid antigen kit-centered quarantine system will be expanded to Europe and other Asian countries in the future. Accordingly, the global rapid antigen kit demand is expected to continue this year as well.”
