Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

GENOCARE Analyzer, the world’s first single-molecule genome sequencer, which is being engineered exclusively for clinical use, will be on the market by the end of this month.

Compared with the world’s existing sequencing analyzers, the new-generation GenoCare system, developed by Direct Genomics, reduces costs and sequencing time, while maintaining the high quality of clinical genome sequencing.

An article recently published in bioRxiv, a science magazine widely recognized around the world, says the GenoCare single-molecule sequencing platform shows a consensus sequence of 99.71 percent nucleotide identity to that of the Illumina MiSeq system’s resequencing of the E. coli genome.

The report said GenoCare would be a reliable platform for single-molecule sequencing, with strong potential for clinical applications.

“The third-generation sequencing analyzer is capable of directly measuring DNA and RNA sequences at the single-molecule level without amplifying a patient’s DNA thousands of times, which currently is driving up costs and generating potential artifacts in patients’ genetic material,” said He Jiankui, founder and chairman of Direct Genomics and an associate professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech).

The highly integrated, easily operated and fully automated GenoCare system could be widely used in hospitals for clinical checks in cancer gene testing, prenatal diagnosis and genetic disease checks for newborns.

He came to Shenzhen in 2012 after he earned his Ph.D. in physics at Rice University and finished postdoctoral training at Stanford University. He became the first teacher to teach in the Biology Department of SUSTech.

“I am not a professor in the traditional sense. I prefer to be a research-type enterpriser. Shenzhen’s generosity in encouraging startups, especially the vigorousness of venture capitalists, which is comparable with Silicon Valley, is the main reason that attracts me,” said He, who worked on genome sequencing research during his postdoctoral training in the lab of Stephen Quake in the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University.

When He returned to China, there were 1,000 companies in China engaged in genomics-related endeavors, but all of them were buying devices monopolized by companies from the U.S. and Europe.

In 2012, at age 28, He founded Direct Genomics to tap into the upstream sector of the sequencing industry.

“At the beginning, the industry gave the cold shoulder to enterprises involved in multidisciplinary research ranging from enzymology to optics and faced technological challenges as the research on second-generation sequencing hadn’t yet succeeded,” said He.

Facing the challenge, He established a world-class scientific advisory board that includes dozens of the world’s top scientists in genomic sequencing, such as Stephen Quake, professor of bioengineering and applied physics at Stanford University, and Michael Deem, professor and chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University.

With the strong support of the board, the company developed and now has 80 employees at an office in Luohu District and maintains a rich portfolio of over 50 issued & pending patents protecting innovative products and technologies for single-molecular sequencing. The average age of employees at the company is 28.

“Thanks to the venture capital and government support in Shenzhen, we started with a 1-million-yuan (US$148,300) Angel fund and raised a total of 200 million yuan through five rounds of fundraising over the past years. The fund guarantees us a high-level research team to continue our development,” said He.

Five hospitals, including Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen Women and Children’s Health Care Hospital and the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, are involved in the GenoCare Early Access Program. The company has received orders from hospitals, universities and research institutes in the U.S. Germany, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

With a vision of providing a novel and affordable technology for patient care, He estimates the sequencing cost will be reduced to around 1,000 yuan in two years, which is 90 percent lower than the present cost.

People will have access to precision medication, disease prevention, intervention, personal health management and dietary guidance through the genomic technology platform.