Qiagen has announced the formation of a joint venture with Maccura Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a leading in vitro diagnostics (IVD) company in China. The joint venture, named Maqgen plans to accelerate local adaptations, development and commercialization of the GeneReader NGS System in the rapidly growing clinical and clinical research markets in China. Qiagen’s GeneReader NGS System is the world’s first complete Sample to Insight solution and makes the benefits of next-generation sequencing (NGS) accessible to any laboratory.

“We are very pleased to have formed this partnership with Maccura. The creation of Maqgen lays the foundation to significantly accelerate and expand the availability of the GeneReader system in laboratories across China, thereby offering a state-of-the-art, seamlessly integrated NGS workflow with menu and other adaptations for the local market. China is the fastest-growing NGS market, and Maccura is China’s fastest-growing major IVD company. Our strategy to work ‘In China, With China’ will boost both companies’ presence in the IVD market in China,” said Thierry Bernard, senior vice president and head of Qiagen’s Molecular Diagnostics Business Area. “Maccura and Qiagen share similar cultures of innovation and commitment to solutions focused on actionable insights. Maccura has deep expertise in IVD development and regulatory affairs in the Chinese market, as well as an extensive partner and distribution network; Qiagen brings global experience and advanced technology solutions targeting the needs of NGS users.”

“Creating this joint venture is a win-win for both companies and, most importantly, for Chinese customers and innovation. We will develop and commercialize the GeneReader NGS System, including the current and future gene panels in oncology, and further innovate as the joint venture develops additional assays designed specifically for China,” said Yong Tang, chairman and general manager of Maccura Biotechnology. “The Sample to Insight GeneReader NGS solution offers significant benefits for more than 6,500 current and prospective customers, particularly in class III hospital networks. Next-generation sequencing in China has entered a phase of exponential growth as the technology moves into clinical trials to develop diagnostic applications. The joint venture will market the GeneReader NGS System initially for research use only (RUO) and pursue appropriate regulatory paths to maximize its value.”

Use of next-generation sequencing is growing rapidly in China, particularly for personalized medicine and clinical research in oncology and other fields. In 2016 the country launched the China Precision Medicine Initiative, a 15-year, $9.2 billion drive to apply genomic insights, with extensive use of NGS, to discover and develop new treatments for cancer and other diseases. Cancer is a major public health problem and the leading cause of death in China. An estimated 4.3 million new cancer cases were diagnosed and more than 2.8 million cancer deaths occurred in China in 2015, the latest year for which statistics are available. Both incidence and mortality are growing, leading to an extensive public and private response.

The joint venture will be based in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Maccura will own 60% of the joint venture and Qiagen will own 40%. Qiagen’s own operations in China will continue as a stand-alone company, supporting and promoting its full range of other products and services for molecular diagnostics and life science customers.

The GeneReader NGS System provides the first true Sample to Insight NGS workflow. The system’s integrated bioinformatics for analysis and interpretation of NGS data, as well as a family of gene panels under the GeneRead QIAact brand to enable laboratories to identify gene variations linked to cancers and to deliver actionable molecular insights. The capabilities of this unique system also include high-sensitivity detection in liquid biopsy samples, compatibility with the QIAsymphony automation platform for high-throughput sample processing, and software integration with leading Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).