Diogene

What Diogene does

Diogene is a South Korean molecular diagnostics company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The company develops proprietary PCR-based genetic testing technology centered on its patented DLP™ (Dumbbell Like-Structure Primer) platform, which enables simultaneous multi-gene amplification and detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms across a single sample. Its product portfolio includes genetic testing services (TumorClean™ cancer screening covering 13 cancer types and 9 chronic diseases with >97% reported accuracy, MICROBI™ gut microbiome testing, telomere testing, dementia screening) and a catalog of diagnostic reagents spanning cancer mutation detection kits, infectious disease assays (COVID-19, MPXV, MARV, HPV, MERS, tuberculosis), and animal/livestock disease kits.

Diogene operates a hybrid business model spanning B2B reagent sales, B2C genetic testing services, and OEM/technology licensing. Revenue is generated through diagnostic reagent sales to medical institutions and international distributors (including a Canadian partner that generated over KRW 10 billion in COVID testing service sales using Diogene kits), direct-to-consumer genetic testing via a network of 28+ cooperative hospitals in South Korea and direct online channels, OEM and technology transfer partnerships, and a newer pet genetic testing segment (MotherPet™ microbiome, Banbyeo-ae platform) being expanded globally. The company holds CE-IVD, ISO 13485, and GMP certifications, with patents registered in Korea, USA, China, Japan, and Europe.

The company has experienced mixed momentum: while it launched multiple new products (TumorClean 3.0 in early 2025, telomere and dementia testing, and a global pet health platform targeting US, India, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia markets) and secured strategic partnerships (including a 2024 MOU with the World Taekwondo Diplomacy Corps targeting 200 million practitioners), it also faced a KOSDAQ delisting review in April 2022 due to a qualified audit opinion on FY2021 financial statements, which it contested and was granted an improvement period.

Name

Diogene

Legal name

주식회사 다이오진

Website

https://diogene.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Diogene is a South Korean molecular diagnostics company founded in 2009 that develops PCR-based genetic testing technology and diagnostic reagents built on its proprietary DLP™ primer platform, serving hospitals, consumers, and international distributors across human and animal health applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Diagnostics

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Medical Laboratories (621511), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/NAAT/NGS-based IVD) (HLAHAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

IVD Reagents, Assay Kits & Consumables (Non-instrument) (HLAHAAAM), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE), Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA)

Keywords

• Molecular diagnostics
• Genetic testing services
• Diagnostic reagent kits
• PCR amplification technology
• Cancer genetic testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Genetic Testing Services: TumorClean™ cancer genetic testing service and MICROBI™ gut microbiome testing service sold directly to consumers and through partner hospitals. Samples analyzed in company lab; results returned to patients via hospitals.
2. Diagnostic Reagents (In Vitro Diagnostics): Sale of cancer, infectious disease, animal disease, and COVID-19 diagnostic reagent kits to medical institutions, animal health providers, and international distributors. Includes specimen collection kits, nucleic acid extraction kits, and disease-specific detection kits.
3. OEM and Technology Transfer: Customized diagnostic product development, technology licensing, and OEM manufacturing for partner companies based on DLP and application technologies.
4. Pet Health Genetic Testing: Pet-specific genetic testing services (마더펫, 반려애) for gut microbiome, chronic diseases, and hereditary conditions in dogs and cats, sold directly to pet owners and through veterinary clinics.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Diogene develops, manufactures, and sells molecular diagnostic reagent kits and genetic testing services built on its proprietary DLP™ (Dumbbell Like-Structure Primer) PCR primer technology platform. The company offers cancer and infectious disease diagnostic reagent kits (COVID-19 RT-LAMP, cancer mutation panels, HPV genotyping, animal disease kits), direct genetic testing services (TumorClean™ cancer screening, MICROBI™ gut microbiome, ATOCLEAR, telomere, dementia screening), pet health genetic testing (MotherPet, Banbyeo-ae), and OEM/technology transfer partnerships for custom diagnostic product development.

Product overview

Diogene is a molecular diagnostics company offering a unified portfolio of genetic testing services and diagnostic reagents built on its proprietary DLP™ (Dumbbell Like-Structure Primer) technology platform. The core offerings include TumorClean™ (cancer genetic testing service analyzing mutations and methylation from saliva/blood, covering 13 cancer types and 9 chronic diseases with over 97% accuracy) and its 2025 major version TumorClean™ 3.0 (which adds immune index, biological age, urine, and reactive oxygen analysis), along with the MICROBI™ gut microbiome testing service. Diogene also manufactures and sells an extensive catalog of diagnostic reagents including the CE-IVD/KFDA-certified DLP™Q COVID-19 RT-LAMP Kit, DLP™C/DLP™Q cancer mutation detection kits (BRAF, APC, BRCA, CDH1, etc.), ISD™ disease diagnostic reagents (HPV35, Sepsis 20, Malaria, Tuberculosis, MERS, etc.), and animal disease diagnostic reagents for pets and livestock. Supporting products include specimen collection and nucleic acid extraction kits. Sub-brands under HealthyGuard™ (BraClean™, HPV Genotyping, DrugClean™, IndiClean™) and pet health services (MotherPet™ microbiome, Banbyeo-ae™ platform, ATOCLEAR) extend the portfolio into specialized testing and consumer wellness segments. The DLP™ technology family includes DLP™Q MANSA (high-sensitivity multiplex real-time PCR), DLP™Q RAPID (30-minute ultra-fast testing), and DLP™C MPCR (40-gene multiplex PCR) as core enabling technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TumorClean™: Cancer genetic testing service that analyzes individual genetic mutations and gene methylation levels to diagnose possibility of developing various cancers and chronic diseases.
• MICROBI™
• DLP™Q COVID-19 RT-LAMP Kit
• HealthyGuard™
• BraClean™
• HPV genotyping
• DrugClean™
• IndiClean™
• ATOCLEAR
• MotherPet (마더펫)
• Banyoae (반려애)
• TeloGuard (텔로가드)
• HepaStop
• DLP™
• DLP™ MANSA
• DLP™Q RAPID

Products and services

• TumorClean™ Cancer Genetic Testing Service Cancer genetic testing service analyzing individual genetic mutations and gene methylation levels from saliva or blood to predict onset of 13 cancer types and 9 major chronic diseases with over 97% accuracy. Sold to consumers through cooperative hospital network.
• MICROBI™ Gut Microbiome Testing Service Gut microbiome testing service that analyzes over 70 types of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria using simultaneous multi-real-time analysis, providing personalized gut health management including probiotic and nutrition recommendations. Sold to consumers and through partner hospitals.
• DLP™Q COVID-19 RT-LAMP Kit In vitro diagnostic medical device for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 using real-time reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification, providing results within 30 minutes. CE-IVD and KFDA certified; sold to medical institutions and international distributors.
• DLP™C Cancer Detection Kits Portfolio of cancer gene mutation detection kits including DLP™C BRAF, APC, CDH1, EGFR, JAK2, MTHFR, HLA-B27, KRAS, MLH1, PRSS1, DPC4, ERBB2 Mutation Detection Kits for various cancers and genetic diseases. Sold to medical institutions and distributors.
• X-Finder BC miRNA Assay Breast cancer test reagent using miRNA biomarker technology for early detection of breast cancer with high accuracy. Validated against 226 breast cancer patients and 146 healthy controls. Sold to medical institutions.
• DLP™Q / ISD™ Disease Diagnostic Reagents Portfolio of infectious disease diagnostic reagents including DLP™Q INFA RT-LAMP Kit, RSV RT-LAMP Kit, Tuberculosis RT-LAMP Kit, MERS RT-LAMP Kit, Pestis RT-LAMP Kit, ISD™C Sepsis 20, Malaria, M.TB, Dengue4, Pneumonia 6 detection kits. Sold to medical institutions and distributors.
• ISD™ HPV35 AES Genotyping Kit MPCR-based 35-type HPV genotype test reagent providing information on 21 high-risk and 14 low-risk HPV genotypes for cervical cancer risk assessment. Sold to medical institutions.
• DLP™Q Animal Disease Diagnostic Reagents Pet and livestock disease diagnostic reagents including DLP™Q CDI, CDV, CPV, CCV, ASFV, PED, FeLV, and BVDV RT-LAMP Kits for dogs, cats, cattle, swine, and poultry. Sold to veterinary clinics and distributors.
• Specimen / Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits Sample collection and nucleic acid extraction kits including DNA Saliva Collector®, DiViral™ Transport Kit, Fecal DNA Collector®, and Gensol™ Clinic DNA/RNA extraction Kit. Sold to medical institutions, veterinary clinics, and consumers.
• HealthyGuard™ Signature Package Comprehensive genetic testing package under TumorClean™ brand including 15-20 gene mutations and methylated genes for cancer types (stomach, lung, colorectal, liver, prostate, pancreatic, thyroid, head/neck, bladder, leukemia) and cardiovascular health. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• HealthyGuard™ Premium Package Expanded genetic testing package covering comprehensive wellness (health genetics, beauty genetics, disease genetics) and standard cancer genetic testing with 5 gene mutation tests per item. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• HealthyGuard™ BraClean™ Genetic breast and ovarian cancer predictive test service analyzing 28 types of BRCA gene mutations for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• HealthyGuard™ HPV Genotyping Cervical cancer predictive test service providing 35-type HPV genotype testing with information on 21 high-risk and 14 low-risk HPV types and complex infection analysis. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• HealthyGuard™ DrugClean™ 32-type drug resistance genetic testing service to identify genetic factors affecting drug response and resistance. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• HealthyGuard™ IndiClean™ Infectious microbial testing service for lower urinary genital infections, cervical cancer, pneumonia, meningitis, and other infectious diseases. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• ATOCLEAR Atopic Dermatitis Predictive Test Atopic dermatitis predictive genetic testing service analyzing 15 gene types including 6 skin barrier genes, 6 immune-related genes, and 3 glutathione transferase-related genes, with specialized probiotic recommendations. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• Telomere Testing Service (Telogard) Biological age testing service measuring telomere length from blood or saliva to assess aging status, aging rate, and disease risk including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's. Direct-to-consumer offering.
• MotherPet (마더펫) Oral Microbiome Testing Pet oral microbiome testing service analyzing harmful and beneficial oral bacteria in pets to predict oral and systemic diseases. Upgraded to include genetic testing for 21 pet diseases including cancer (mammary tumors, osteosarcoma, bladder cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, mast cell tumors), chronic diseases, and 3 hereditary conditions. Sold to pet owners and veterinary clinics.
• Banbyeo-ae (반려애) Global Pet Health Platform Global pet health platform providing DNA-based genetic health screening for pets including cancer, chronic diseases, and hereditary conditions. Active in US, India, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia markets. Sold to pet owners and veterinary clinics.
• DLP™Q MPXV Real Detection Kit Rapid diagnostic kit for Monkeypox virus detection within 1 hour using DLP™Q RT-LAMP technology. Sold to medical institutions and government agencies.
• DLP™Q MARV RT-LAMP Assay Rapid diagnostic kit for Marburg virus detection within 30 minutes using DLP™Q RT-LAMP technology. Sold to medical institutions and government agencies.
• HepaStop Real Detection Kit Real-time RT-PCR diagnostic kit for rapid detection of Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses. Sold to medical institutions.
• R&D Partnership / OEM / Technology Transfer Services Customized diagnostic product development, technology licensing, and OEM manufacturing for partner companies based on DLP and application technologies. Includes joint development, technology transfer, and white-label manufacturing services. Sold to diagnostic reagent partners domestically and internationally.
• Active Oxygen Testing Service Active oxygen (reactive oxygen species) testing service that measures oxidative stress levels, with additional 10-type urine testing. Direct-to-consumer offering bundled with TumorClean 3.0.
• Vaginitis Causative Bacteria Testing Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Cancer genetic testing accuracy >97% when using saliva as sample
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and major.

• 디케이닥터 (DK Doctor)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2024Digital healthcare company developing digital therapeutics for high-risk health groups. Diogene and DK Doctor signed a comprehensive MOU for home hospital implementation technology demonstration and pet health genetic testing services. DK Doctor serves as the primary B2B partner for Diogene's pet genetic testing products (마더펫, 반려애). The partnership also includes a 10만 반려동물 구강미생물검사 campaign targeting 100,000 pets.
• 삼이그룹 (Sami Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2024Sami Group is part of the DK Coalition (디케이연합) together with DK Doctor and Diogene, providing global digital wellness solutions to 200 million taekwondo practitioners worldwide through a comprehensive MOU.
• 태권도외교단 (World Taekwondo Diplomacy Corps)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 January 2024International organization under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to global taekwondo culture and wellness. DK Coalition signed comprehensive MOU to provide digital health management solutions to approximately 200 million taekwondo practitioners globally. Diogene provides genetic testing services as part of this wellness program.
• 구로 참튼튼병원 (Guro Chamtteontun Hospital)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2023Diogene signed a business agreement with Guro Chamtteontun Hospital's health screening center as part of a research project funded by KHIS (Korea Health Industry Promotion Agency) for 'Home Hospital Implementation Technology Demonstration' using genetic analysis results for prognosis management.
• Canadian Biotech CompanymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2022Canadian molecular diagnostics company that achieved over KRW 10 billion in COVID test service sales using Diogene's diagnostic kits. MOU signed for supply of various molecular diagnostic kits (cancer gene test kits, animal disease diagnostic kits) and technology transfer. NDA signed for mutual confidentiality.
• Exogene Pte.Ltd (Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Singapore-based biotechnology company. Joint development of an mRNA assay kit for early diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of breast cancer. Announced April 2021 as part of Diogene's international R&D expansion.
• 가천대학교 길병원 부설 비알씨 연구소 (Gachon University Gil Hospital BRC Research Center)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2016Research agreement signed February 2016 for collaborative research in molecular diagnostics and cancer genetic testing.
• 나은병원, 루가의료재단 (Naeun Hospital, Luga Medical Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2014Joint research agreement for collaborative development of molecular diagnostic technologies and validation of diagnostic kits.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seegene: Seegene is a South Korean molecular diagnostics company specializing in multiplex PCR technologies for infectious disease and cancer testing. It is the most direct competitor to Diogene in Korea, with overlapping multiplex PCR chemistry, comparable IVD reagent portfolios, and similar hospital-channel GTM in Korea and abroad.
• SD Biosensor: SD Biosensor is a Korean IVD company producing diagnostic reagents and rapid test kits across infectious disease, cancer, and consumer health. It competes directly with Diogene in IVD reagent manufacturing for the Korean market and shares similar export channels for COVID-19 and infectious disease kits.
• Gencurix: Gencurix is a Korean molecular diagnostics company focused on cancer genetic testing and companion diagnostics, including lung, colorectal, and breast cancer mutation detection. It is a direct competitor to Diogene in the Korean cancer molecular diagnostics reagent and testing services market.
• Genomictree: Genomictree is a Korean molecular diagnostics company developing early cancer detection products using methylation-based biomarker technology. It is comparable to Diogene's TumorClean™ methylation-based cancer testing and shares the same Korean hospital and DTC channels.
• GeneDx: GeneDx is a US-based genetic testing services company focused on hereditary disease, oncology, and rare disease diagnostics. It is comparable to Diogene's genetic testing services business model, especially for cancer predisposition and hereditary disease panels.

Broad incumbents

• QIAGEN: QIAGEN is a global leader in molecular diagnostics sample technologies and PCR reagents, with broad portfolios in oncology, infectious disease, and human ID. It is a broad incumbent competing with Diogene in multiplex PCR reagents, nucleic acid extraction kits, and IVD partnerships worldwide.
• Cepheid (Danaher): Cepheid, a Danaher subsidiary, operates the GeneXpert system, a leading molecular diagnostics platform for infectious disease and oncology. It is a broad incumbent in the same molecular diagnostics space where Diogene competes on reagent chemistry and platform integration.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad manufactures qPCR instruments (CFX96) and reagents used in molecular diagnostics workflows. Diogene explicitly integrates with the CFX96 platform, making Bio-Rad both a compatibility partner and a broad incumbent competitor in PCR reagents and instruments.
• Hologic: Hologic is a global molecular diagnostics and women's health company with the Panther system and a broad portfolio of molecular assays. It is a broad incumbent in molecular IVD that competes with Diogene in oncology, infectious disease, and reproductive health testing.

Emerging players

• Embark Veterinary: Embark Veterinary is a US-based pet genetic testing company offering breed, health, and trait DNA tests for dogs. It is the most direct comparable to Diogene's Banyoae pet genetic health platform in business model and target customer (pet owners seeking preventive genetic insights).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diogene