Natera, Inc., a global leader in cell-free DNA genetic testing, and BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., the largest cell-free DNA clinical testing laboratory in China and one of the world’s leading genomics companies, today announced a $50 million partnership to commercialize Natera’s Signatera™ MRD test in China, and to develop reproductive health tests in select markets on BGI’s sequencing instruments using the DNBseq™ NGS technology platform.
Founded in 2004, Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. The mission of the company is to change the management of disease worldwide. Natera operates an ISO 13485-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in San Carlos, Calif. It offers a host of proprietary genetic testing services to inform physicians who care for pregnant women, researchers in cancer including biopharmaceutical companies, and genetic laboratories through its cloud-based software platform.
BGI was founded in 1999 with the vision of using genomics to benefit mankind and has since become one of the largest genomics organizations in the world. With a focus on research and applications in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, conservation and environmental fields, BGI has a proven track record of innovative, high-profile research that has generated over 1,600 publications. BGI Genomics is an independent division of BGI Group, and was listed on the Shenzhen Chi-Next exchange in July 2017.
The Natera Signatera MRD and molecular monitoring test will be offered in China, first through specialty hospital networks and then more broadly, once Natera and BGI Genomics gain China’s regulatory approval for use of the Signatera test on the DNBseq™ technology platform. DNBseq™ is the market name of BGI’s proprietary sequencing technology, which supports its portfolio of next-generation sequencing platforms. BGI Genomics’ genetic testing leadership position in China, where it performs over 1 million cell-free DNA tests annually, will accelerate Natera’s entry into this large and growing oncology market.
“Natera shares our core vision of improving human health by offering innovative genetic testing solutions that allow for earlier and more effective diagnosis of disease.” … “Natera’s decision to launch its Signatera test into China on BGI’s DNBseq™ technology platform is a testament to both the quality and versatility of our technology. We look forward to working together with Natera for the general benefit of people worldwide and to expanding access to the DNBseq™ technology platform to other customers globally.” – Yin Ye, CEO at BGI Genomics
“We are very impressed with BGI’s pace of innovation, its people, and its scale of operations in China.” … “BGI is a recognized world leader in next-generation sequencing and, we believe, the most qualified laboratory partner for us in China. This deal continues Natera’s commercialization success in oncology, augmenting over 30 pharmaceutical trials currently underway, and is a strong endorsement of Natera’s leading technology in oncology and reproductive health.” – said Steve Chapman, CEO at Natera
Sources
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natera-and-bgi-genomics-announce-50m-partnership-to-commercialize-signatera-oncology-test-in-china-and-to-develop-reproductive-health-tests-in-select-markets-on-bgis-dnbseq-technology-platform-300809802.html
- https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/natera#section-overview
- https://pixabay.com/vectors/dna-biology-bottles-samples-154227/
