2022 Gene Industry Blue Paper Launched with Forewords by Academician Chen Runsheng and Nine Leading Institutions

On September 7, 2022, the Conference on the Future Industrial Development of Gene Technology, guided by the Tumor Marker Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association and hosted by GeneHui, was held online. At the conference, with forewords written by Academician Chen Runsheng and Academician Zhan Qimin, GeneHui jointly released the *2022 Blue Book on the Gene Industry* together with nine institutions, including Qitan Technology, Cornerstone Life, Yuan Gu Ji, Huawei Cloud, MGI Tech, Berry Genomics, IDT, Zhenhe Technology, and Qingdao Free Trade Zone·Sino-German Ecopark, and participated in industry discussions. The event attracted 2,688 viewers. The article includes a download link for the Blue Book and a replay of the key conference content. (The *2023 Blue Book on the Gene Industry* will be launched in October 2022; collaborations are welcome.)

The entire conference was moderated by Wang Liang, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of GeneInsight. Professor Xing Jinliang, Chairman of the Tumor Marker Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association, delivered the opening address.

Professor Xing expressed gratitude to the academicians and industry colleagues for their support of the conference. He announced that the Tumor Marker Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association has completed the compilation of three clinical guidelines, which will serve to guide clinical practice. The committee also plans to conduct lecture tours in schools and at the grassroots level, facilitate academic exchanges, and promote collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. Colleagues are warmly welcomed to participate.

Academician Chen Runsheng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivered a keynote speech titled “Genomic Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.” Academician Chen stated that genomic research has ushered biology and medicine into the era of big data, driving fundamental transformations in these fields and facilitating the transition from traditional medicine, which focuses primarily on diagnosis and treatment, to precision medicine, which centers on health assurance.

Academician Chen believes that there are three key issues to achieving precision medicine:

● Molecular Omics: Collection and Integration of Big Data

● Phenomics: Characterization and Quantification

● Coupling of Micro and Macro: Black Box Systems

Furthermore, Academician Chen pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) is a universal tool for big data mining, with its three key elements being models, data, and computing power. Among these, models need to learn from the human brain, data requires integration, and domestic computing power has basically met the demand.

Finally, Academician Chen shared the frontier directions in disease diagnosis and treatment: nucleic acid vaccines and nucleic acid therapeutics. He analyzed their advantages, limitations, and optimization strategies, and introduced the progress of RNA research in China. Academician Chen called on global research and production institutions to focus on nucleic acid vaccines and nucleic acid therapeutics, striving for global leadership and innovation to advance the pharmaceutical industry and benefit society.

Academician Chen Runsheng, together with nine representatives from industry, academia, and research, jointly witnessed and launched the inaugural release of the “2022 Blue Book on the Gene Industry.” This marks the fifth consecutive year since 2018 that GeneHui has exclusively published this annual blue book on the gene industry, which has been included in industrial reports by the National Development and Reform Commission and Shenzhen municipal authorities.

Meeting Replay Access (Click to Enter)

The nine guests who participated in the inaugural launch ceremony of the “2022 Gene Industry Blue Book” were:

● Chen Runsheng (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

● Xing Jinliang (Chairman of the Tumor Marker Professional Committee, China Anti-Cancer Association)

● Xie Dan (Co-founder of Qitan Technology)

● Zhang Yunqing (Member of the Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark)

● Ni Ming (Senior Vice President of Shenzhen MGI Tech, General Manager of Qingdao MGI Tech)

● Zhang Yong (Co-founder and Chief Scientist of Yuanguji; Visiting Professor at the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases)

● Xia Yuchao (Chief Information Officer, Cornerstone Life)

● Fu Yunbin (Head of China Marketing, IDT)

● Wang Liang (Founder & Editor-in-Chief of GeneInsight)

Remarks by Participating Enterprises and Park Guests

Qitan Technology is a high-tech company dedicated to the research and development of the latest generation of commercialized gene sequencing technologies. Its core products include nanopore gene sequencers along with supporting reagents and chips. After nearly five years of intensive R&D, we are privileged to have become the first enterprise in China to successfully develop principle prototypes, engineering prototypes, and product prototypes of nanopore gene sequencers, and to launch commercial products.

In December last year, we launched China’s first mass-producible nanopore gene sequencer, the QNome-3841. This June, we released its upgraded version, the QNome-3841hex, marking QiTan’s entry into a phase of diversified product portfolio development. QiTan’s commercialization efforts have effectively initiated the domestic production of nanopore gene sequencing technologies in China, entailing significant responsibility. The advantages of nanopore sequencers include long read lengths, real-time data output, and compact portability. Last year, we conducted alpha testing and have since deployed the device in various applications, including pathogen research, genetic disease detection, animal disease prevention and control, species identification, forensic investigation, and public health epidemic prevention.

Currently, the QNome sequencing platform from QiTan has already attracted over a hundred users. We encourage everyone to pay close attention to the latest generation of sequencing technologies and gain a deeper understanding of domestically produced sequencers. As an upstream provider, QiTan aims to collaborate with midstream and downstream partners to create more convenient and effective application solutions for end-users, thereby accelerating industry development.

Qingdao Shikong Gene Valley is located in the Qingdao Free Trade Zone·Sino-German Ecopark. In recent years, the zone has focused on gene technology, highlighting its strengths in R&D and manufacturing, and has achieved breakthroughs in fields such as marine life science research, gene sequencers, gene-editing breeding, novel marine-derived biological products and materials, and marine drug development. It has successfully attracted key projects including BGI Group, Qingyuan Nongguan, and Chia Tai Pharmaceutical.

In accordance with the strategic decisions and arrangements made by the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government to proactively lay out gene technology, the district will focus on building a full industrial chain system for gene technology, carefully planning a coordinated and linked industrial spatial layout, and creating resource elements that cover the entire R&D lifecycle. By pursuing a “three-pronged” approach encompassing basic research, applied research, and industrial translation, along with focusing on the “two major directions” of equipment and raw material production and gene technology application services, we plan to construct the Qingdao Spatiotemporal Gene Valley.

Moving forward, we will intensify efforts in several key areas, including strengthening talent support, innovating service systems, building public service platforms, and enhancing financial backing. Our goal is to provide higher-quality services and guarantees for enterprises within the park, attract domestic and international talents to innovate and start businesses in the area, continuously elevate the industrial capacity and agglomeration of Qingdao Space-Time Gene Valley, and make it a shared home for gene technology experts, scholars, and practitioners.

MGI Tech adheres to the philosophy of “Innovative Intelligent Manufacturing Leading Life Sciences” and is committed to becoming a “Creator of Core Tools for Life Sciences.” Focusing on the fields of life sciences and biotechnology, the company specializes in the research and development, production, and sales of instruments, equipment, reagents, and consumables. It provides real-time, comprehensive, and full-lifecycle digital life science equipment and system solutions for industries such as precision medicine, precision agriculture, and precision health.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, MGI Tech has established subsidiaries and branches in Wuhan, Qingdao, Kunshan, Changchun, Shanghai, Hong Kong, as well as in the United States, Latvia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil, aggregating global innovation resources. The company has built a global network for business operations, training, and after-sales services covering major countries and regions across six continents, and has achieved large-scale mass production of multiple models of sequencers, laboratory automation instruments, and remote ultrasound robots that have obtained medical device registration approvals.

Currently, MGI Tech has established two major business segments: gene sequencers and laboratory automation. It is also expanding its comprehensive life digitalization strategy into emerging fields with products such as remote ultrasound robots. Among these, the R&D and production of its gene sequencer business have achieved a globally leading position, demonstrating the capability to independently develop and mass-produce clinical-grade high-throughput gene sequencers.

The National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases is directed by Academician Zhong Nanshan, with the aim of advancing the development of respiratory disease research in China and promoting the clinical translation of scientific achievements.

Guided by the development of respiratory specialties, Yuanguji is committed to becoming the leading brand in supporting the construction and advancement of respiratory departments. Over the past few years, we have developed specialized solutions based on gene-related technologies such as high-throughput sequencing. Focusing on respiratory diseases, we provide professional guidance and operational support for respiratory specialties to regional medical centers.

I have long followed GeneInsight and hold Wang Liang’s team in high esteem. I am grateful for their consistent professionalism, rigor, and comprehensive approach, which have expanded the influence of the entire industry and served as a bridge by delivering the latest information to government bodies, investors, enterprises, and the academic community. I look forward to seeing GeneInsight continue to publish more outstanding reports and organize such symposiums. I also hope that every practitioner will contribute to the future development of China’s genomics technology industry through our joint efforts.

Basecare’s core technological product, the “Microtumor PTC In Vitro Drug Sensitivity Testing” technology, enables in vitro drug sensitivity testing for over one hundred commonly used clinical oncology therapeutics, providing robust experimental evidence to guide personalized medication for cancer patients. Addressing the industry-wide challenge of lacking accurate techniques for predicting drug efficacy, this technology has, for the first time, uncovered a novel mechanism by which primary tumor cells (including stromal components) self-assemble in vitro into three-dimensional microstructures (microtumors). It accurately recapitulates the dynamics, heterogeneity, and drug sensitivity profiles of patient tumors, achieving a culture success rate of 90%, a testing turnaround time of two weeks, and a clinical concordance rate of 90%. Related technical findings were published in June 2020 in the prestigious international journal Science Translational Medicine.

This core technology has been supported by the Original Exploration Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Capital Health Development Research Special Project, and has also been selected for major special projects of the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission as well as the Zhongguancun Disruptive Technology R&D and Achievement Transformation Special Project. Leveraging this technological foundation, Jishi Life has won numerous honors, including the First Prize in the Finals of the North China Regional Division of the “2020 International Youth Sci-Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition,” the First Prize in the HICOOL 2021 Global Entrepreneurship Competition, and the Gold Award in the First China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT) is an operating company under the Danaher Group’s Life Sciences platform. IDT is dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and selling nucleic acid products for the life sciences community, supporting areas such as academic and commercial research, agriculture, medical diagnostics, and drug development.

IDT has developed multiple patented technologies for genomic applications, covering next-generation sequencing (including solutions for library preparation, targeted capture, and amplicon sequencing), CRISPR genome editing, synthetic biology, digital PCR, and RNA interference. Through its GMP services, IDT produces products that scientists use to study various forms of cancer as well as a wide range of genetic and infectious diseases. As a leading manufacturer in the field of custom nucleic acid production, IDT serves over 130,000 life science researchers. Founded in 1987, IDT’s manufacturing headquarters is located in Coralville, Iowa, USA.

Centering on the two themes of industrial development in genetic technology and the translation of basic research, participating guests engaged in in-depth and extensive intellectual exchanges through two roundtable forums. They also interacted with online readers to jointly discuss development directions at key industry junctures, sharing frontline needs and pathways for technological translation.

Roundtable Forum 1: The Gene Technology Industry

Development Trends and Drivers

At the first roundtable forum, focusing on the development trends and driving factors of the gene technology industry, participating experts proposed:

The development trends of the genetic technology industry include precision medicine (particularly big data integration and chip R&D), AI-driven big data collection, localization of production equipment such as sequencers, and public welfare services.

In addition to existing applications, continued attention should be paid to fields such as gene therapy and gene synthesis, as well as DNA storage, single-cell and spatial omics, nucleic acid drugs and vaccines, and the safe preservation and automation of biological samples.

Core driving factors include technological breakthroughs and application demands, as well as curiosity and exploration in basic research;

Through top-level design, professional planning, and operational management of industrial parks, the industrialization, scaling, and clustering of gene technology will be significantly promoted, which is an inevitable trend and requirement at the current stage of development in the gene industry.

The participating experts unanimously believe that advances and innovations in genetic technology will continue to drive the industry-wide process of making life sciences technologies more accessible to the public. This requires coordinated and in-depth collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions, and end-users to break through industry cycles.

Roundtable Forum II: From Basic Research to

Transformation Pathways for Industry Development

At the second roundtable forum, focusing on the translational pathway from basic research in gene technology to industrial development, participating experts proposed:

There is significant clinical demand for genetic technologies, while costs, sensitivity, and regulatory approval processes require further optimization.

It is essential to prioritize basic research and technological breakthroughs, overcome the current trend of redundant R&D, and focus on distinctive products;

From laboratory standardization and cost control (through domestic substitution) to the integration of integrated solutions, this is one of the important paths for the transformation of basic research.

Increasing the scale and intensity of early-stage investment, establishing a quality certification system, and enhancing market awareness through professional societies are key directions for building a robust industry ecosystem.

《2022 Gene Industry Blue Book》

Since 2018, GeneInsight has publicly released its annual report on the gene industry for five consecutive years, aiming to promote the popularization of gene technology, the adoption of advanced products, industrial integration, and collaboration among academia, research, industry, and end-users. The *2022 Blue Book of the Gene Industry*, featuring forewords and recommendations from Academicians Chen Runsheng and Zhan Qimin, was jointly released by GeneInsight in partnership with nine other institutions.

Download Portal for the Electronic Version of the Blue Book

We extend our gratitude to Academicians Chen Runsheng and Zhan Qimin for their forewords and recommendations, and to the Tumor Marker Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association for its guidance. We also thank Qi Tan Technology, Genecast Biotechnology, Yuan Gu Ji, Huawei Cloud, MGI Tech, Beikang Medical, IDT, Zenith & Beyond, and the Qingdao Free Trade Zone·Sino-German Ecopark for their strong support of this Blue Book, jointly promoting the inclusive application of genetic technologies and the integrated development of the industry.