[Edaily Reporter SHIN MIN JOON ] "We will transform AccuGen from a company specializing in genetic sample collection tubes and kits, as well as next-generation sequencing (NGS) microbiome testing, into a leading provider of natural microbial biomaterials—key ingredients in high-growth global markets such as K-Beauty and K-Food."

Flagship Products: Genetic Sample Collection Tubes and Kits

Kwon Soon-jae (pictured), CEO of AccuGen, recently shared these aspirations in an interview with PharmEdaily, E-Daily’s premium pharmaceutical and biotech content platform. AccuGen was established in 2014 as a medical device manufacturer. Founder and CEO Kwon Soon-jae holds a Ph.D. in Science from Korea University and previously served as a research professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Korea University. CEO Kwon founded AccuGen after serving as a principal researcher at Macrogen and as the director of the research institute at Ewon Diagnostics (EDGC).

CEO Kwon said, “I’ve always had a keen interest in the field of microbiology and developed my expertise by majoring in molecular biology during my college years.” He added, “I later joined Macrogen as a principal researcher at a time when the genomics market, including genetic testing, was growing.”

He continued, “At that time, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was also just beginning,” adding, “Since the domestic market for genomics-related products, including NGS, was reliant on imported goods, I felt the need to localize these products.”

He continued, “As we gradually began producing related products—such as genetic sample preservation solutions, tubes, and kits—locally, one by one, I ended up founding AccuGen.”

AccuGen’s flagship products include three types of genetic sample collection tubes and kits. The Accu Collect Kit, a genetic sample collection tube, refers to specialized tubes designed to collect blood, epithelial cells, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples. HiAccuBead is a consumable essential for extracting target DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA) during NGS experiments. The AccuBlood DNA Prep Kit is a DNA extraction product specialized for various clinical specimens.

In particular, AccuGen holds the top market share in the specialty tube market, which is essential for the high-cost precision diagnostics sector. The Cell-Free DNA Collection Tube demonstrates excellent performance, capable of stably preserving trace amounts of cfDNA for an extended period of more than two weeks. These tubes are primarily used in the fields of precision medicine for liquid biopsy in cancer—where DNA degradation must be prevented and sample quality must be reliably maintained even under harsh external conditions—as well as in non-invasive prenatal testing. Full-scale sales began in 2024.

CEO Kwon explained, “AccuGen independently develops, manufactures, and supplies a diverse product line—including those necessary for specimen collection, nucleic acid extraction, and nucleic acid purification for genetic testing and molecular diagnostics—to approximately 20 institutions.”

He added, “Specimen collection tubes and nucleic acid extraction kits are classified as medical devices,” noting, “As a result, we have obtained medical device approvals from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the European In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

AccuGen also operates a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that provides experimental data management and analysis software (SW) specialized for bio-laboratories, such as those conducting NGS, as well as a gut and skin microbiome testing service. AccuGen provides its LIMS to U.S. liquid biopsy company Genece Health, the four major hospitals including Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and major contract testing laboratories.

Accelerating the Natural Biomaterials Business

as

a New Growth Engine

AccuGen is

also accelerating its natural biomaterials business, a key new growth engine

. Since 2023, AccuGen has designated the natural biomaterials business as a future growth engine and has been concentrating its company-wide capabilities on it.

The first area of focus is the natural lactic acid bacteria-based polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) business. Known as PDRN, this substance binds to the adenosine A2A receptor to promote angiogenesis, fibroblast activation, and anti-inflammatory effects; due to its excellent skin-regenerating properties, it is used in the beauty and cosmetics industries. As PDRN has recently been utilized in health functional foods as well, the related market is growing rapidly.

According to data released by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 2024, the global market for PDRN is estimated at approximately $7.68 billion (about 11 trillion won). The compound’s annual growth rate stands at 30%.

The most commonly used PDRN is primarily produced by finely fragmenting DNA extracted from salmon testes. However, since it is derived from animals, it cannot be certified as vegan, and the process of securing raw materials—such as fish farming—is complex. In contrast, AccuGen has developed a technology that enables the mass cultivation of its proprietary natural lactic acid bacteria in relatively small spaces to produce PDRN. AccuGen is currently preparing for mass production at its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility within the Gangneung Science Promotion Institute.

CEO Kwon stated, “Lactic acid bacteria-derived PDRN offers significant advantages,” adding, “Geuknano lactic acid bacteria PDRN has already been commercialized as a natural ingredient in cosmetics.”·

He continued, “Additionally, during the lactic acid bacteria cultivation process—which is part of PDRN production—postbiotics (active ingredients) with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are also produced from the substances emitted by the bacterial strains,” adding, “Combining ultra-nano lactic acid bacteria PDRN with these postbiotics allows users to experience skin regeneration, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects all at once. “This is why AccuGen can grow as Korea’s first core, differentiated materials company in the K-Beauty and K-Food markets,” he added.

AccuGen was selected as a K-Global 300 company by the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2017. After obtaining the Inno-Biz certification for technology-innovative SMEs in 2019, AccuGen was selected as a management-innovative SME in 2022. AccuGen was also selected for the “Ultra-Leap Startup +1000” program in 2024.

AccuGen’s largest shareholder is CEO Kwon Soon-jae, who held a 32.48% stake as of last year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AccuGen’s annual revenue exceeded 20 billion won, driven by sales of specialty tubes and kits. However, as COVID-19 transitioned to an endemic phase, the company reported annual revenue of 1.7 billion won last year.

CEO Kwon said, “We used the funds secured during the COVID-19 pandemic to purchase land for a new factory and cover research and development (R&D) costs,” adding, “As the results of our past investments are beginning to materialize one by one starting this year, we will do our best to accelerate our growth.”