South Africa’s Akili Labs, a pioneer of cost-effective molecular diagnostics and secure genomic data storage solutions, and BGI Genomics, one of the world’s leading genomics companies, have signed a technology transfer agreement that will provide the Southern region of Africa with clinical-grade sequencing solutions.
Akili Labs specialises in cost-effective and accessible diagnostic services by carefully selecting technology and optimising processes. It has regional offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, as well as Lusaka in Zambia and Maryland in the United States.
BGI Genomics, meanwhile, is headquartered in Shenzhen China and is the world’s leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. Its services cover over 100 countries and regions, involving more than 2,300 medical institutions.
“Improving the cost and turnaround time of genetic sequencing services will play a major role in expanding precision medicine-driven healthcare in Africa,” said Charles Faul, co-founder and CEO Akili Labs. “Locally provided services have struggled with capacity restraints and are challenged with local pricing of reagents and equipment. Often, the only solution is to send samples to Europe or the US, where sequencing is cheaper. However, this comes at a price: the application for export permits can be a lengthy process, and then there is the risk of sample loss or damage during shipping.”
Ronnie Mao, business manager of Southern Africa at BGI Genomics, said he was thrilled to see the progress being made in genomics sequencing development in Africa.
“With the continent being home to the world’s most diverse genomics data, it is crucial that local talent has the tools and resources to further our understanding of clinical genetics. We welcome the initiative to develop localised genomics sequencing capabilities in Africa, with a focus on clinical genetics and improving health outcomes,” he said.
“This will not only benefit the people of Africa, but also enable and empower local talent to lead this effort and bring their unique perspectives to the field. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that this development will have on the health of individuals and communities in Africa.”
