Fapon Biotech Completes Full Acquisition of U.S.-Based Sequlite to Accelerate NGS Industry Development

Fapon Biotech will comprehensively manage and integrate Sequlite in areas such as operations and development, further deepening Fapon Biotech’s global footprint in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. This move will continue to drive the development of a more scaled industrial ecosystem in the NGS sector, making NGS accessible to the general public and embodying Fapon Biotech’s “Making Diagnosis Earlier, More Accurate, More Convenient, and More Affordable” mission, to benefit the health of people worldwide.

He Zhi, President of Fapon BiotechQiang stated, “High-throughput and affordable gene sequencing technologies have been a major trend in the life sciences and medical fields over the past decade, with their applications now deeply integrated into various aspects of healthcare and daily life. However, further expansion and penetration to ensure accessibility and affordability for the general public are key to the future development of next-generation sequencing (NGS), as well as the primary goal and driving force for Hybribio as an upstream enterprise. Our acquisition of Sequlite aims to transform our role from a participant to a driver, elevating sequencing to a strategic priority in Hybribio’s development. Building on the strong foundation of complementary strengths between both parties, we will jointly construct a sequencing industry ecosystem, realize Hybribio’s grand vision of being a co-builder of the diagnostic ecosystem, and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Hybribio’s broader health industry.”

Millard Chan, Founder of Sequlitestated, “We are delighted to partner with Fapon Biotech to embrace a broader future for NGS! Over the past two decades, Fapon Biotech has achieved rapid, leapfrog development, emerging as an industry leader in innovation. We believe that Fapon Biotech possesses substantial strength in advancing cutting-edge diagnostic technologies and providing comprehensive solutions. Their commitment to R&D as the cornerstone of growth aligns perfectly with Sequlite’s development philosophy. This collaboration holds profound significance for accelerating the launch and global implementation of Sequlite’s products, and we look forward to it with great anticipation!”

Fapon Biotech and Sequlite have been collaborating since 2018. Leveraging Fapon Biotech’s 20 years of industry expertise and innovative achievements, as well as Sequlite’s core technologies and extensive experience in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) field, the two teams reached an initial acquisition partnership.

Over the past four years, the two parties have engaged in extensive exchanges and discussions on the future development of sequencing, and during this period jointly launched their first sequencing platform—SeqQ 100 High-Throughput Gene Sequencing System, and recently reached a consensus on further in-depth cooperation. Since then, Sequlite has been integrated into the business system of Fapon Biotech. Based on the complementary advantages of both parties, the R&D process of the sequencing product line will be greatly accelerated, and production capacity will be significantly enhanced, creating a mutually beneficial and win-win situation.

Sequlite is one of the few professional teams worldwide that has mastered key technologies in sequencing platforms. Its founders and core members possess extensive experience and resources in research and development, operations, and management, particularly inBioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Imaging, Optics, Physical Chemistry, Computer ScienceThey possess profound expertise in sequencing-related technical fields.

Next, the SeqQ 100 high-throughput gene sequencing system will successively undergo beta testing with partners, before formally entering the commercial sequencing market to join major mainstream sequencing platforms in driving the development of the sequencing industry.

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According to BBC Research data, the market size of China’s gene sequencing industry grew from RMB 1.34 billion in 2012 to RMB 10.59 billion in 2018, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 25%, indicating broad prospects.

Prior to this acquisition, Hybribio had been cultivating the NGS field for several years, capable of stably providing global customer partners with core raw materials for library preparation reagents across major mainstream sequencing platforms, as well as related products and services for reagent solutions.

Due to high technical barriers, sequencing instruments in China and even globally have long been monopolized by overseas giants. Taking “Making diagnosis earlier, more accurate, more convenient, and more affordableGuided by this mission, Fapon Biotech is actively responding to the national policy call for import substitution by vigorously promoting the domestic application of sequencing platforms.

Through this acquisition of Sequlite, Fapon Biotech will become one of the few domestic R&D enterprises mastering high-throughput gene sequencing technology and instrument platforms, thereby enhancing its technological platform, strengthening its technical capabilities, boosting its overall competitiveness, and ushering in a new chapter for its development.

Fapon Biotech will also provide comprehensive high-throughput sequencing solutions, coveringOpen Instrument Platform, Reagent Solutions, Core Raw Materials for Reagentsand other products and services, connecting the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the industry with more affordable and widely accessible solutions, while collaborating with a broader range of partners to drive the development of the sequencing industry.

Precision medicine represents a major industry trend and is one of the key healthcare development priorities spearheaded by the Chinese government. As a critical entry point into precision medicine, sequencing will enable Fapon Biotech to expand its portfolio of product solutions in areas such as precise cancer prevention and control, eugenics and healthy childbirth, genetic disease screening, and pathogenic microorganism detection, thereby laying the groundwork for the subsequent creation of “Core Reagent Raw Materials + Reagent Solutions + Open Instrument Platform + Data Algorithm Platform“The four-in-one strategic layout lays an important foundation.”

In addition, as an innovative R&D enterprise specializing in high-throughput sequencing, Sequlite’s inclusion has become a significant milestone for Fapon Biologics in building its industrial ecosystem, following the previousChemiluminescence Solutions, Ultra-Fast PCR Solutions...to the successful deployment of high-throughput sequencing solutions, Fapon Biotech has initially established the framework of an open platform ecosystem.

The future platform ecosystem will uphold “Open Sharing, Collaborative Development” philosophy, leveraging a highly inclusive green ecological platform as the vehicle to promote resource sharing and technological synergy across the industrial chain, attract broader participation in industry development, and build a harmonious, symbiotic, and sustainable ecosystem.

From the core raw materials for reagents in its early startup phase, to expanding into comprehensive reagent solutions, and further to the research and development of high-end precision instruments, Fapon Biotech has consistently risen to every challenge. Each step forward is underpinned by profound technological accumulation.

To strengthen its innovation capabilities, Fapon Biologics attaches great importance to the development of its talent system, with over40%personnel engaged in R&D work, in20The cumulative number of patent applications filed domestically and internationally over the years has reached470+；

On the other hand, it is actively expanding its R&D footprint, starting from Songshan Lake in Dongguan20000㎡+From the establishment of its R&D and industrial base, to the successive rollout of domestic R&D centers in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing, and further to the layout of overseas R&D bases in San Francisco, Singapore, and other international locations, Fapon Biotech is radiating innovation globally and building a robust technological moat.

Regarding the addition of Sequlite,Cui Peng, Founder and Chairman of FaponStatement: Welcome Sequlite to the Fapon Biotech family! This year marks the 20th anniversary of our founding. While we have achieved much in the past, we are by no means resting on our laurels. Our original aspiration—to improve human health and advance human progress—has always driven Fapon to continuously reflect and take action. Looking ahead, we will explore new directions, staying true to our mission of benefiting human health.

Fapon Biotech is an industry-leading platform-based enterprise in the field of in vitro diagnostics (IVD). Focusing on future demands for health management and trends in biotechnological development, it provides global IVD enterprises with high-performance core raw materials for IVD reagents, reagent solutions, and open instrument platforms.

Fapon Biotech aims to promote resource synergy and value sharing within the industry through continuous innovation in its products and services. By fostering a diagnostic platform ecosystem, we collaborate with partners to advance the development of the diagnostics industry, fulfilling our mission to “make diagnostics earlier, more accurate, more convenient, and more affordable.” Our goal is to ensure that advancements in diagnostic technology benefit more people and contribute to the betterment of global health.

Sequlite is a company specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of high-throughput gene sequencers, and it is one of the few teams globally that has mastered key technologies for sequencing platforms. The company has achieved independent control over core image processing algorithms (base-calling software), the production of core reagent raw materials (such as high-fidelity DNA polymerases and high-purity nucleotide analogs), and the calibration and assembly processes of core optical imaging systems (covered by proprietary patents). Leveraging these advantages, Sequlite has completed the development of a functional prototype of its first desktop-scale, low-to-medium throughput gene sequencer (the SeqQ 100). The product is currently undergoing testing and optimization, after which customer access to beta testing will be opened to rapidly establish an early adopter base.

SeqQ 100 High-Throughput Sequencing System