DowGene

What DowGene does

DowGene DNA Testing Company Co., Ltd. is a privately held Korean DNA testing laboratory founded in July 2002 and headquartered in a single office in Gasan Digital Complex, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. The company provides human DNA testing services — paternity and kinship verification, identity and DNA profile tests, and forensic specimen testing from bone, semen, and body fluids — alongside animal DNA testing (individual identification and paternity for bovine, porcine, equine, and canine using ISAG/AKC loci) and food foreign-substance detection and species identification services. Testing is anchored in FBI CODIS, ISAG, and AKC standard gene loci, with 16-23 STR genes examined for paternity cases achieving a 99.9% probability threshold for acknowledgement.

Beyond services, DowGene sells a small line of patented products: the DOW GeneCard System for long-term personal DNA storage (Patent No. 10-0522394, with GeneCard I/II/III variants), the DNA ID Card (Patent No. 10-0805472), the Dow QuickGene DNA Kit and DNA Extraction Kit for 15-minute genomic DNA extraction, and the Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit (patent application 2014). The business also operates patented specimen-storage intellectual property registered as trademarks.

DowGene's go-to-market is enterprise field sales and government delegation: it holds an annual DNA identification delegation from Korea's National Police Agency (since 2007) and from the Ministry of National Defense for Korean War family identification (since 2010), supplemented by direct B2B inquiries via phone/email and a consumer-facing online storefront (DNA testing services launched on Korea's leading online stores in May 2003). Revenue streams therefore mix professional services, hardware/kits, and government contract work, distributed across vertical segments (government/law enforcement, healthcare, animal breeders, food manufacturers) and persona segments (families, adoptees, parents). The company is founder/management-owned under CEO Hwang, Chunhong, has no disclosed external funding, and operates entirely within South Korea.

Name

DowGene

Legal name

DowGene DNA Testing Company Co., Ltd.

Website

https://dowgene.koreasme.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DowGene is a privately held, Seoul-based DNA testing laboratory founded in 2002 that provides paternity, kinship, forensic, animal, and food DNA testing services to Korean government agencies, medical institutions, and individuals, alongside patented DNA storage and extraction products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

DNA Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Genomic Testing & Genetic Evaluation Services (AFAEAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Risk Assessment, Hazard Analysis & Food Defense/Fraud Programs (AFALAAAO)

Keywords

• DNA testing services
• Paternity testing
• Kinship verification
• Forensic identification
• DNA storage products

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. DNA Testing Services: Comprehensive DNA testing services including paternity tests, kinship tests, identity tests, DNA profile tests, bone DNA tests, semen DNA tests, body fluid tests, animal DNA tests (bovine, porcine, equine, canine), and food foreign substance detection tests.
2. DNA Storage Products: Sale of DOW GeneCard System products including DOW GeneCard I, II, and III for long-term storage of blood, body fluids, and hair specimens.
3. DNA Extraction Kits: Sale of Dow QuickGene DNA Kit for extraction of genomic DNA from various specimens including blood, tissue, hair, and buccal samples.
4. Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit: Sale of specialized kit containing personal DNA and DNA profile testing results for personal identification and searches for missing children.
5. DNA ID Card: Sale of DNA ID Card containing personal DNA and DNA profile testing results for identification, searches for missing children, or disease identification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DowGene fundamentally provides accredited DNA testing services and patented DNA specimen storage and extraction products. Its testing services cover human paternity, kinship, identity, DNA profile, bone, semen, and body fluid tests; animal individual identification and paternity testing for bovine, porcine, equine, and canine; and food foreign substance detection and species identification testing. Its physical products include the patented DOW GeneCard storage system, DNA ID Card with personal DNA profile results, Dow QuickGene DNA Kit for 15-minute DNA extraction, and the Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit.

Product overview

DowGene offers a unified portfolio centered on DNA testing services and specimen storage products. The core offerings include the Dow GeneCard System (three variants for blood, hair, and combined storage), the DNA ID CARD, and complementary DNA extraction kits (DNA Extraction Kit and Dow QuickGene DNA Kit). The Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit extends the portfolio for family safety applications. Human DNA testing services include paternity tests, kinship tests, identity tests, DNA profile tests, bone DNA tests, semen DNA tests, and body fluid tests. Animal DNA testing covers bovine, porcine, equine, and canine individual identification and paternity testing. Food safety services include foreign substance DNA tests and species identification tests for mammals, birds, fish, vegetables, and allergy-inducing ingredients. The company has been certified as a KOLAS internationally certified testing laboratory and Class A DNA testing institution by the Ministry of Health and Welfare since 2007.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DOW GeneCard System: A patented technology developed for storing personal DNA for large-scale accident preparedness, including the Daegu Subway fire accident. Includes DOW GeneCard I (blood and body fluid storage), DOW GeneCard II (hair storage), and DOW GeneCard III (combined storage).
• DNA ID CARD
• Dow QuickGene DNA Kit
• Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit

Products and services

• Human DNA Testing Services Accredited DNA testing services covering paternity tests, kinship tests, identity tests, DNA profile tests, bone DNA tests (16–23 STR genes including sex chromosomes, 99.9% probability for paternity acknowledgement), semen DNA tests, and body fluid tests. Targeted at individuals, families, and legal authorities needing legally defensible relationship and identity verification.
• Animal DNA Testing Services Individual identification and paternity testing for bovine (11 gene loci, ISAG-recommended), porcine (11 gene loci, ISAG), equine (17 gene loci, ISAG), and canine (10 gene loci, AKC-recommended). For livestock breeders, breed registries, and kennel/equine registries needing breed certification, parentage verification, and breeding record integrity.
• Food Foreign Substance Detection and Kind Identification DNA Tests Species determination and foreign substance detection through mitochondrial DNA analysis (COXI, Cytochrome B, D-loop genes). Capable of testing 35 kinds of mammals, birds and fish; 42 kinds of grains, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms; and 12 kinds of allergy-inducing foreign substances. For food manufacturers and regulators needing food safety compliance, allergen identification, and contamination source tracing.
• DOW GeneCard System Patented technology (Patent No. 10-0522394) for long-term storage of personal DNA. Includes three variants: DOW GeneCard I for blood and body fluid storage, DOW GeneCard II for hair storage, and DOW GeneCard III for combined blood and hair storage. For individuals, families, and government agencies needing preserved DNA specimens for identification and future testing.
• DNA ID Card Patented DNA identification card (Patent No. 10-0805472) containing the holder's personal DNA specimen along with DNA profile testing results, used for identification, searches for missing children, and disease identification. Targeted at consumers and institutions needing portable DNA identification.
• Dow QuickGene DNA Kit Spin column type kit (Cat. No. DG-D0701) enabling quick extraction of genomic DNA from specimens such as blood, tissue, hair, and buccal samples in 15 minutes. Includes optimized lysis, binding, washing, and elution buffers, and supports PCR immediately after heating followed by spinning. Designed for laboratories needing rapid extraction from small specimens.
• Children Loss Prevention Information Collection Kit Specialized kit (Patent Application No. 10-2014-0015465) containing personal DNA and DNA profile testing results for personal identification and searches for missing children. For parents, guardians, and child-safety-focused consumers seeking accident preparedness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% probability threshold for paternity acknowledgement
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Samkwang Medical FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2014Entered into an agreement on DNA testing with Samkwang Medical Foundation in April 2014, expanding service reach in the medical sector.
• Korea Private Investigation Administration/Korea Association of Private InvestigationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2014Entered into agreement with Korea Private Investigation Administration and Korea Association of Private Investigation for DNA identification services.
• KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2013Certified as KOLAS internationally certified testing laboratory, enabling internationally recognized testing services.
• Kangwon National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2013Selected as partner for academic-industrial joint technology R&BD project sponsored by Kangwon National University.
• Seoul National University College of Medicine (Department of Legal Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2013Announced joint research report in collaboration with the Department of Legal Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine.
• CoreMedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2005Entered into agreement with CoreMed for DNA ID card products.
• Adoptee Solidarity KoreacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2005Entered into agreement for DNA testing for search of paternity, supporting adoptees in finding biological families.
• Institute of Korean DNA AnalysisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2004Entered into agreement with Institute of Korean DNA Analysis for the provision of DNA testing services.
• DNA Bank Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2004Entered into agreement with DNA Bank Co., Ltd. for the provision of DNA testing services.
• Takara Korea Genetic Analysis CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2004Entered into product sales contract with Takara Korea Genetic Analysis Center.
• Korea's Leading Testing InstitutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2003Entered into agreements with Korea's leading testing institutions for the provision of DNA testing services.
• LabGenomics Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2002Entered into product supply contract with LabGenomics Co., Ltd.
• National Police AgencycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDelegated by National Police Agency for DNA identification projects since 2007, including ongoing annual agreements for forensic DNA identification.
• Ministry of National DefensecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDelegated by Ministry of National Defense to perform DNA identification for families of war dead from Korean War since 2010.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SCL (Seoul Clinical Laboratories): Major Korean clinical diagnostics laboratory offering a broad menu including molecular genetic testing. Comparable to DowGene in laboratory-based genetic testing, but operates at significantly larger scale across clinical diagnostics.
• Macrogen: Larger Korean genomics services company with global operations, providing DNA sequencing, genetic analysis, and molecular diagnostics for clinical and research customers. Overlaps with DowGene on DNA testing services but at materially greater scale and international footprint.
• BGI Genomics: One of the world's largest genomics organizations offering clinical and forensic DNA testing services globally. Comparable to DowGene on forensic and paternity DNA testing capability, but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Theragen Etex: Korean genomics and bio-informatics company offering genetic analysis services for healthcare, forensics, and consumer applications. Comparable to DowGene in DNA-based services but broader in scale and product mix.

Emerging players

• 23andMe: US-based direct-to-consumer DNA testing company offering ancestry, health, and trait genetic testing. Indirectly comparable to DowGene's consumer-facing DNA ID Card and child-safety products via the DTC genetic testing model, but operates at vastly larger scale.
• MyHeritage DNA: Global consumer DNA testing service focused on ancestry and family matching. Comparable to DowGene on kinship/biological-family-matching use cases, particularly relevant to DowGene's adoptee search segment, though distributed globally rather than domestically.

Others

• GeneDx (Sema4): Clinical genomics laboratory providing diagnostic genetic testing for rare disease and hereditary conditions. Comparable to DowGene on laboratory DNA testing capability, but focused on clinical diagnostic interpretation rather than forensic/paternity use cases.

Direct peers

• Institute of Korean DNA Analysis: Korean DNA testing service provider historically partnered with DowGene for the provision of DNA testing services. Competes in the same paternity and kinship testing category in the Korean market.
• DNA Bank Co., Ltd. Korean DNA testing and storage services provider focused on paternity, genetic testing, and DNA banking. Has a documented commercial relationship with DowGene, suggesting overlapping service offerings and customer pool.
• LabGenomics: Korean molecular diagnostics and DNA testing laboratory offering paternity, kinship, and genetic testing services. Directly comparable to DowGene on human genetic testing, and the two companies also have a documented historical supply relationship.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rollpack

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 DowGene