
Attoplex Inc., a company specializing in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices, announced on the 19th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Professor Minsu Kim’s research team from the School of Computing at KAIST for the “joint development of AI-based diagnostic reagents for high-risk pathogens.”
The MOU aims to develop diagnostic reagents that maintain high sensitivity and specificity, even for rapidly mutating pathogens such as RNA viruses. The collaboration will focus on commercializing “VPrimer”, an automated primer-probe design algorithm developed by Professor Kim’s team.
VPrimer is an algorithm that analyzes thousands of variant sequences from high-risk RNA viruses — such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS, Zika, and Ebola — and automatically designs high-precision primer-probe sets with at least 95% mutation coverage. Compared to designs from globally recognized WHO-affiliated institutions, including the CDC in North America and the University of Berlin in Germany, VPrimer has demonstrated fewer undetected variants and higher specificity (with no cross-reactivity to non-target viruses), with its technological excellence validated internationally.
The collaboration will center around “VPrimer,” a proprietary technology developed by the research team of Professor Minsu Kim at KAIST’s School of Computing, which enables high-precision primer design based on real-time viral mutation data. The goal is to enhance early diagnostic accuracy and accelerate the global deployment of molecular diagnostic kits during pandemics.
Through this MOU, KAIST will enhance the VPrimer-based algorithm and provide the AI-powered analytical platform, while Attoplex will take the lead in developing, manufacturing, certifying, and commercializing high-sensitivity, high-specificity diagnostic reagents based on these technologies. The two parties plan to collaborate in the following areas:
Attoplex Co-CEO Hyunkyu Yoon stated, “The faster high-risk viruses mutate, the more apparent the limitations of conventional molecular diagnostic methods become. The integration of KAIST’s world-class VPrimer technology presents an unprecedented opportunity to develop a diagnostic platform that ensures speed, accuracy, and sustained effectiveness.”
“AI is no longer just a supporting tool — it has become the core engine for designing diagnostic reagents.” said Professor Minsu Kim of KAIST. Through this collaboration with Attoplex, we aim to bring VPrimer technology into real-world clinical and industrial applications.”
Attoplex Inc. has developed numerous molecular diagnostic-based IVD solutions and has accumulated extensive commercialization experience and expertise in various areas, including influenza, COVID-19, and sexually transmitted infections. Through this MOU, the company aims to lead the next-generation standard in RNA virus diagnostic technology.