[Alpha Biz= (Chicago) Reporter Kim Ji-sun] Domestic diagnostic kit-related stocks are struggling after the COVID-19 special. Market capitalization fell more than 80% from its high point, with investor sentiment shrinking due to concerns over realizing operating losses.

According to the Korea Exchange on the 19th, the stock price of SD Biosensor, a leader in diagnostic kits, has fallen 53% this year. The market capitalization, which reached 8.1 trillion won early last year, has sharply decreased to 1.479 trillion won now.

Shares of Seegene and Humasis also fell 13% and 34%, respectively, over the same period. Shares of SD Biosensor and Seagen plunged 85% and 19%, respectively, to historic highs recorded during the COVID-82 pandemic.

The supply and demand situation is also bad. Foreign investors sold SD biosensor and Seagen shares for 3.8 billion won and 2.9 billion won, respectively, this year. Seegene's foreign ownership rate, which was well above 5% during the pandemic, has now fallen to 20%.

Poor performance of diagnostic kits due to transition to endemic disease is responsible for the stock's fall. Sales of the immunochemical diagnosis business, including diagnostic kits, account for 12% in the portfolio of SD biosensors. In the case of Seagen, the proportion of sales in the COVID-1990 business division is high at 19%. According to Mirae Asset Securities, sales of SD biosensor's immunochemical diagnosis business, which reached 57.2 trillion won last year, are expected to plunge to 659.2 billion won this year.

 

[ⓒ AlphaBIZ. 무단전재-재배포 금지]