South Korean direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing providers are teaming up with local telcos to deliver service results through mobile devices to save customers trips to hospitals while keeping them informed of health status quo on daily basis.

DTC enables access to genetic information through in vitro diagnostics without going through a healthcare provider. Genetic test services in Korea are restricted to some 70 categories such as the analysis of the risk of hair loss, high blood pressure and obesity.

Following Macrogen’s DTC service launch through SK Telecom in September last year, NGeneBio is preparing to launch a similar service in cooperation with KT Corp., according to industry sources on Tuesday.

On Monday, Theragen Bio joined hands with LG Uplus to start its DTC service in the second half of this year.

Under the alliance with their respective telcos, the DTC companies provide smartphone-based healthcare services including personalized health information on the status of skin, hair, nutrition, and muscular strength for customers who undergo DTC genetic testing.

SK Telecom users can subscribe Care8 DNA, a genetic testing service provided by Macrogen, for a monthly fee of 89,000 won ($80), getting access to their health and nutritional status, eating habit, skin and hair condition via a smartphone app based on genetic test results.

Theragen Bio is planning to launch a DTC genetic testing service backed by artificial intelligence and big data analytics in the second half of this year.

NGeneBio, KT’s first internal corporate venture, is planning to provide services such as tailored health management (diet and exercise therapy) services, and storage and management of personal genome analysis information.

The alliance with telcos is expected to contribute to the public’s awareness and perception of commercial genetic testing services which were approved in 2016, said a market watcher, adding about 70 health-related services are now available under a DTC scheme, but such services are rarely known to the general public.

By Kim Si-gyun and Minu Kim

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