GC Genome launches health exam services in Middle East with Korean Medical Center in Qatar

GC Genome said Thursday that it has started health examination services in the Middle East in collaboration with the Korean Medical Center (KMC) in Qatar.

KMC is a large specialized medical examination center located in Lusail, Qatar. It is 100 percent owned by the Elegancia Healthcare Group, a subsidiary of Power International Holding, a global conglomerate in the Middle East.

GC Genome said the center officially began operations in September this year after signing a memorandum of understanding at the Korea-Qatar Business Forum held in October 2023 on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Qatar. The main contract was signed less than a year after discussions began.

Through this agreement, GC Genome will provide four test items to KMC's health screening program: Greenbiome Gut, an intestinal microbiome test; Greenbiome Perio&Denty, a genetic analysis test for oral bacteria; Genome Health, a genetic test for health screening; and ai-CANCERCH, an early screening test for multiple cancers.

GC Genome has been in talks with KMC since the second quarter of this year to ensure stable service operation. It has started service operations through close cooperation on the sample transportation system and analysis process. KMC targets VIP medical tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

The company added that it plans to gradually expand cooperation opportunities as a significant partner in the Middle East screening and testing business.

“Through this cooperation with the Korean Medical Center (KMC), we will be able to absorb the medical tourism demand from major countries in the Middle East and significantly expand the scope of medical examination services based on GC Genome's excellent technology,” GC Genome CEO Ki Chang-seok said. “We will continue to strengthen our presence in the Middle East market and provide high-quality medical examination services to more customers.”