Oxford Nanopore to sequence 10,000 genomes for Singapore’s National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme
5 August 2024
Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (LSE: ONT) ("Oxford Nanopore"), the Company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, notes the announcement of a landmark project with Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme, led by Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE), to sequence 10,000 genomes representing Singapore’s diverse population, including Malay, Indian and Chinese communities.
The project is aimed at developing a catalogue of structural variants that have demonstrated significance in helping clinician scientists and researchers in understanding human genetic diversity and diseases. The Oxford Nanopore platform was selected by the NPM programme through a competitive process because of its scalability and flexibility in sequencing both short and ultra-long DNA/RNA fragments, including detection of methylation, without the need for additional steps and at speeds faster than other platforms.
This initiative underscores Oxford Nanopore’s commitment to advancing genetic research and healthcare outcomes on a global scale, particularly for ethnically diverse populations that are typically underrepresented in genomic databases. The project started mid-2024 and is expected to run for c.12 months. There is no change to the Company’s already stated 2024 and medium-term financial guidance.
"We are excited to collaborate with Singapore’s National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme to create one of the most extensive and inclusive reference genome datasets globally. This collaboration not only enhances our commitment to precision healthcare but also strategically positions Singapore as a pivotal hub for genomics in the Asia Pacific, fostering significant advancements in medical research and healthcare outcomes."
Gordon Sanghera, CEO
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