Sysmex Corporation and Hitachi High-Tech Corporation are collaborating to develop novel genetic testing systems based on capillary electrophoresis sequencers (CE sequencers). Maximizing the use of the individual technologies and knowhow, the two companies aim to achieve the spread of new genetic testing systems that provide shorter measurement times and reduced running costs.

The initative is backed by a joint research finidings of a feasibility study (FS) agreement in August 2023 aimed at developing new genetic testing systems. To achieve widespread clinical realization, Sysmex and Hitachi High-Tech will develop more efficient genetic testing systems at a lower cost, aiming at expanding optimal genetic testing for individual diseases.

Genetic testing reagents using next generation sequencers (NGS) have been actively developed in recent years. However, challenges such as shortening measurement times and reducing running costs have emerged, necessitating the development of new genetic testing systems that can be widely adopted in the clinical setting.

In order to resolve these issues arisen in clinical setting, the companies concluded the FS agreement in August 2023 to jointly study possibilities for the development of new genetic testing systems enabling optimal genetic analysis for individual diseases by combining Hitachi High-Tech's CE sequencer technology and Sysmex's knowhow in NGS reagent development and analysis technology accumulated through the clinical realization of genomic medicine to date.

Having achieved the milestones in the FS agreement, Sysmex and Hitachi High-Tech have agreed, as the next step, to collaborate on the development of genetic testing systems with a view to their widespread adoption in the clinical setting. Hitachi High-Tech will proceed with obtaining approval for CE sequencers as medical devices and Sysmex will go ahead with development and regulatory approval for testing reagents for use with such devices, and develop analysis software. Both companies will first work on clinical application in the oncology area and then aim to expand gradually to other disease areas.