Singapore: With a view to provide further booat to the genomics sector Novogene, AIT Biotech and Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) announced a new a new joint venture between Novogene and AITbiotech aiming to establish a joint whole genome sequencing (WGS) centre at Biopolis, Singapore.

Novogene is a leading commercial provider of genomic services and solutions with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics expertise. AITbiotech is a leading Genomic Services and MDx company based in Singapore.

As per the press release, the new centre aims to provide Illumina HiSeq X based whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of human, plant and animal samples for biomedical and agricultural researchers. The centre will devote a major portion of its sequencing capability to support public research projects and empower super scale sequencing initiatives in Singapore and the region. In addition, NovogeneAIT will collaborate with GIS to develop new applications of next-generation sequencing, such as WGS solutions for cancer diagnosis and stratified cancer treatment.

"I am very excited and pleased to announce this significant new initiative with the Genome Institute of Singapore," stated Dr. Ruiqiang Li, CEO of Novogene. "The centre is the first major project for NovogeneAIT and is an important milestone for our company. We look forward to providing high-quality sequencing services in Singapore and to advancing important research initiatives that can benefit humanity."

"We are delighted to work with a local biotech company.," said Prof. Ng Huck Hui, Executive Director of GIS. "Such public-private partnerships will prove to be highly beneficial as it leverages the strengths of both parties to advance genomic science and medicine in Singapore, as well as to create successful local biotech companies."