Researchers in Asia are increasingly evaluating the significance and scope of proteomics in biomolecular discovery efforts. There is widespread recognition and appreciation in the APAC region for the potential of genomics in discovering novel therapeutics. SomaLogic, one of the largest clinical proteomic databases in the world, recently introduced its first APAC Grant Program – the Genomax Research Grant Award for researchers in Singapore. Researchers from academic, medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations in the life sciences explored grant opportunities at the Asia Oceana Human Proteome Organisation (AOHUPO) meeting in Singapore. AOHUPO's primary objective is to promote and coordinate the activities of the regional proteomics community. Having a strong presence in 17 countries, AOHUPO is revolutionizing the pace of global Biosciences R&D and esp in the Asian region. Chris Tan, Senior Director of Life Sciences Sales for the APAC region at SomaLogic elaborates further on SomaLogic’s proprietary protein detection and analysis technology and APAC Grant Program.

How is the APAC Proteomics market contributing to drug research and development?

As a global leader in proteomics technology, we recognized the potential of the APAC region in contributing to overall drug research and development, which is central to our company mission. Proteomics, like our 7,000-plex SomaScan Platform, can provide protein detection and analysis technologies to fuel research in biomarkers, disease progression and drug targets, aiding researchers in drug discovery and clinical trails. 

Proteomics is particularly helpful in supporting research by pharmaceutical companies and academic and contract research organizations. By tapping into the APAC market, there is also the opportunity for us to network and establish strong, reliable working relationships with such organisations in the region – propelling overall drug research and development forward globally. 

How is SomaLogic shaping the future of healthcare with its proteomics platform?

With SomaLogic’s development of the SomaScan Platform over the last two decades, we are  the first and only proteomics research company that possesses the technological capabilities to measure up to 7,000 proteins from a 55 microlitre sample. This is more than double the number of proteins of any other platform – covering more biological pathways than any other proteomics assay. This is a revolutionary proteomic discovery as we will be able to deliver greater insights into disease biology, and one that can strengthen other -omics-based research.

How significant is SomaLogic’s first Grant Program for the wider APAC region?

This is a significant milestone for SomaLogic in establishing our presence in the APAC region, where we can dedicate resources to emerging pharmaceutical and research giants in the region for drug development and research.

Asia is an incredibly important market for Somalogic. It is exciting to be partnering with Molecular Genomics on this grant program, with their more than 10 years of biodiscovery experience in Southeast Asia. The winners of the award will receive proteomic data from SomaLogic’s 7,000-plex assay, which will be run at Singapore-based Molecular Genomics. The site, opened in November 2022, was the first SomaLogic authorized site in Asia to offer the SomaScan^® Platform.

To apply for the grant program, researchers in academic, medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations in life sciences, will submit a proposal outlining how they will use the SomaScan Platform to expand their research goals in health or in a specific disease area, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer by 30 June 2023. Two winners will be awarded 40 human plasma or serum samples to be processed on the SomaScan Platform at Genomax’s Singapore lab. 

Can you briefly describe the collaborative initiative with Molecular Genomics that has accelerated biodiscovery in Southeast Asia?

Through this partnership, we hope to combine Singapore-based Molecular Genomics’ existing genomics and single-cell analysis services together with our SomaScan Platform. This is to provide an unparalleled multi-omics service platform to customers in Southeast Asia. Our proprietary platform is designed to be a universal platform that can be applied across research and discovery, translational research and biopharmaceutical development and clinical applications. Working with Molecular Genomics gives SomaLogic the opportunity to complement their next-generation sequencing and microarray-based genomics analysis with the power of our proteomics platform.

Through this collaboration, our goal is to provide more opportunities for researchers to explore innovative ways to develop and assist in the acceleration of biodiversity through the expansion of proteomics technology in Southeast Asia. 

What is the rationale behind choosing Singapore for the Grant Program?

We chose Singapore because we strongly believe that there is a lot of unrecognised potential in the life sciences sector. By launching our first grant program in Singapore, we are giving researchers in academia, medical centres, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations in life sciences the chance to receive resources that can propel their research and studies forward. 

What are the 2023 strategic goals and vision for SomaLogic?

Our goal this year is to be in Asia for Asia. We currently have authorized sites in Japan, Singapore and China. Our goal is to expand our services in Asia through our authorized sites program and bring the power of our proteomics platform to this region to support advances in biomarker discovery and drug development.

Hithaishi C Bhaskar

hithaishi.cb@mmactiv.com