Berry Genomics and Prenetics Establish Joint Venture to Offer Digital Health and Genetic Testing Services in Mainland China

Recently, VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that Berry Genomics, a leading clinical genomics testing company in China, will establish a joint venture with Prenetics Limited, a leading digital health and genetic testing company in Southeast Asia. The joint venture will provide digital health and genetic testing services to consumers in mainland China.

Berry Genomics was established in May 2010 as an innovative biotechnology company and a pioneer in China’s genomics industry. The company is dedicated to the comprehensive translation of gene sequencing technologies into practical applications, with a focus on advancing life sciences research through sequencing technology. As a leading practitioner in China’s gene sequencing sector, Berry Genomics has developed a parallel, full-industry-chain ecosystem encompassing technology R&D, product manufacturing, testing services, whole-genome databases, gene therapy, and health consulting. Headquartered in Beijing, the company operates medical laboratories in multiple cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha, Qingdao, Fuzhou, and Hong Kong. Currently, Berry Genomics is constructing a Digital Life Science Park in Fuzhou with a total area exceeding 260,000 square meters.

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Prenetics was originally part of the Biomedical Research Centre at City University of Hong Kong and was formally spun off into an independent company in 2009. The Prenetics team comprises top-tier scientists, biomedical research engineers, and professional healthcare practitioners. As an innovative biotechnology company dedicated to precision medicine, Prenetics primarily leverages genetic technologies to provide health support, enabling users to understand their genetic information so they can adjust their daily diet and lifestyle habits, thereby improving quality of life and reducing healthcare expenditures. The company currently offers four product lines: nutrigenomics, pharmacogenomics, hereditary cancer screening, and family planning screening.

The joint venture established by the two companies will offer a comprehensive suite of digital health and genetic testing services, designed to help millions of consumers in mainland China understand their genes and the relationship between genetics and health. Adopting a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, the joint venture will enable customers to purchase genetic health service kits directly online. It will also seek collaborations with insurance companies, government entities, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment with local market demands. These services are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2019.

Zhou Daixing, CEO and Co-Founder of Berry Genomics, stated, “We are very excited about the potential of the direct-to-consumer genetic testing market in mainland China. By partnering with the Prenetics team, we believe we can effectively complement each other’s strengths and deliver high-value health services to millions of people in mainland China.”

Danny Yeung, CEO and Co-founder of Prenetics, stated, “We are delighted to partner with Berry Genomics. As an industry leader in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), Berry has developed a mature business model in genomics amid the complex market challenges in mainland China. Together with Berry, we will help consumers in mainland China enhance their health awareness and capacity for disease prevention.”