Jellyfish Genetics Partners with Thermo Fisher to Disrupt the Gene Sequencing Market with Enhanced Capabilities

Recently, Beijing Jellyfish Technology Co., Ltd. (“Jellyfish Genomics”), a leading domestic player in the consumer-grade genetic testing industry, and Thermo Fisher Scientific (“Thermo Fisher”), the global leader in scientific services, jointly announced that they have established a “core strategic partnership” and will engage in extensive and in-depth collaboration in the field of genetic testing.

Signing Ceremony: Thermo Fisher Scientific Global President and CEO Marc Casper and Thermo Fisher Scientific China President Tony Acciarito with Jellyfish Genomics CEO Wang Xiaokang and Chief Scientist Dr. Zhao Nan

The establishment of a core strategic partnership between Jellyfish Genomics and Thermo Fisher Scientific marks the entry of their collaboration into a new phase. In addition to introducing Thermo Fisher Scientific’s complete gene chip analysis system, Jellyfish Genomics will also adopt the Ion GeneStudio™ S5 Plus next-generation sequencing platform technology. Leveraging this technology, Jellyfish Genomics will pursue localization by conducting research, development, and manufacturing in China. The company will launch these domestically produced devices to clinical testing centers at various medical institutions for in vitro diagnostics in the field of clinical microbiology. By integrating genetic testing data with clinical data, the solution aims to provide a more comprehensive reflection of the health status of individuals undergoing testing.

Furthermore, in response to clinical demands, Jellyfish Genomics will undertake the development and regulatory registration of companion kits on the Ion GeneStudio™ S5 Plus platform, thereby launching a series of clinical diagnostic products targeting various microorganisms. This signifies that Jellyfish Genomics has further expanded its gene sequencing capabilities, marking another solid step forward in the field of personal health data management.

Ion GeneStudio™ S5 Plus Next-Generation Sequencing Platform

According to statistics, the overall size of China’s health market is projected to exceed US$1.2 trillion by 2020. As a cornerstone of future precision medicine, genetic testing technology has naturally garnered extensive attention from both the government and capital markets. Recently, the Chinese government released the Notice on the Second Batch of Demonstration Projects for the Application of Genetic Testing Technology, underscoring the government’s high level of emphasis on this market.

Based on projections of the massive scale of China’s future consumer-grade genetic testing market, and leveraging Thermo Fisher Scientific’s robust R&D capabilities in bioassay technologies, Jellyfish Gene established the world’s first innovation demonstration center for genetic testing technologies in September at the Yiwu Economic Development Zone. Spanning nearly 5,000 square meters, the center is dedicated to in-depth research into application scenarios for genetic testing, as well as the stability and accuracy of detection technologies.

It is understood that Jellyfish Genomics currently primarily employs Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Applied Biosystems GeneTitan™ microarray analysis system, combined with the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. Building on this foundation, the company continuously guides and launches more targeted genetic testing service products. In the upcoming collaboration, Thermo Fisher Scientific will engage with Jellyfish Genomics’ R&D technical team to support product development. Leveraging Jellyfish Genomics’ leading industry position and strong marketing capabilities, the partnership aims to rapidly and accurately introduce health and wellness products tailored to Chinese consumers.

Senior executives from both sides jointly attended and witnessed this significant ceremony.

According to VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat), Jellyfish Gene was founded in 2015. The company’s products are primarily divided into two categories: one is health and wellness products related to diseases, and the other is personal genomic products focused on health management.

“Life Coach™” is a comprehensive health product developed by Jellyfish Genomics, based on personal genomic and gut microbiome testing. The company was the first in China to propose the concept of “designing personalized healthy lifestyles for users using genetic data.” In addition to assessing users’ health status through testing, the company has independently developed a mobile app to serve its users.

In recent years, advances in genetic testing technology and declining costs have continuously renewed global interest in genomics. In 2018, the United Kingdom announced plans to sequence and decode the genomes of five million British citizens, aiming to create the world’s largest health database. As of 2017, 830,000 individuals from 140 countries worldwide had participated in the U.S.-based “Genographic Project.” Sales of ancestry DNA testing kits in the U.S. market were even more substantial, with total sales exceeding six million units. Meanwhile, gut microbiota and microbial testing has emerged as one of the hottest areas in international scientific research in recent years, with related findings frequently featured on the covers of Nature, Science, and Cell.

Early this year, Jellyfish Gene crossed industry boundaries to collaborate with Chinese National Geography magazine, launching the nation’s first “Chinese Surname Genetic Mapping Project” and the “Life Atlas™” product. This initiative embarked on a journey of ancestral discovery for the Chinese people, tracing the familial evolution stories behind different surnames. The product includes three ancestry tests—lineage, paternal, and maternal—as well as 286 personal health genetic tests and one year of life coaching services. It covers multiple aspects, including surname ancestry, personal traits, dietary nutrition, athletic potential, and disease risk.

Image provided by Jellyfish Gene

To date, Jellyfish Gene boasts five core products, including “Life Coach · Personal Genome Testing,” “Life Atlas · Ancestry + Health Personal Genome Testing,” and “Jellyfish Cloud · Enterprise-Level Services,” providing genetic testing and personalized health guidance tailored to diverse populations.

Regarding the company’s product portfolio, Wang Xiaokang, Founder and CEO of Jellyfish Genomics, stated, “We are more inclined to provide users with a comprehensive suite of services that integrate personal genomic data, gut microbiome profiles, and even physical examination results. By analyzing these data, we delineate users’ health status. For instance, our ‘Life Coach’ service delivers audio, video, and text-based content to help users gain a better understanding of their physical health within the context of their daily lives and career stages. These recommendations are tailored based on individual biological data.”

In terms of marketing, Jellyfish Gene has not relied solely on the internet model like mainstream DTC genetic testing companies; instead, it integrates application scenarios and collaborates with partners to deliver its products to customers.

On the one hand, partners have their own sales channels, through which Jellyfish Genomics can deliver its products to the partners’ user base. On the other hand, Jellyfish Genomics has established its own sales network via channels such as its mobile app, WeChat, and JD.com. This approach not only facilitates product marketing but also enables the integration of resources from both parties to jointly develop superior products. This is precisely why Jellyfish Genomics is able to attract partners to launch co-branded products.

“We do not intend to simply replicate the business models of other consumer genetics companies. We place great emphasis on unlocking the value of life data through genetic testing and integrating multi-dimensional scenarios, enabling users to enjoy a healthy and vibrant lifestyle,” said Wang Xiaokang. He expressed his hope that by collaborating with partners from diverse fields such as dietary nutrition, fitness and exercise, skincare, and disease and medication guidance, consumers will be able to recognize the value of the products, thereby maximizing the value delivered by these partners.

Commenting on the collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wang Xiaokang stated, “Leveraging the introduction of the Ion GeneStudio™ S5 Plus platform, Jellyfish Genomics will launch high-quality, high-coverage gene sequencing services and products. This will enable Chinese consumers to benefit from a broader range of genetic testing and clinical microbiology testing solutions that are tailored to local conditions and meet personalized needs, thereby driving the growth of the entire health industry.”