Thermo Fisher and ShuiMu Genomics Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Gene Testing in China with Integrated Genotyping and NGS Platforms

On October 29, 2018, VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned that Beijing Jellyfish Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Jellyfish Genomics”), a leading enterprise in China’s consumer-grade genetic testing industry, and Thermo Fisher Scientific (hereinafter referred to as “Thermo Fisher”), the global leader in scientific services, jointly announced that they had established a “core strategic partnership.” The two parties will engage in extensive and in-depth cooperation in the field of genetic testing to promote the development of mass-market genetic testing in China, thereby advancing the growth of the broader health and wellness industry.

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 & Chief Scientist Dr. Zhao Nan

The establishment of a strategic core partnership between Jellyfish Genomics and Thermo Fisher Scientific marks the entry of their collaboration into a brand-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 foundation, Jellyfish Genomics will localize production through domestic research and development in China, launching these locally manufactured devices to clinical testing centers at various medical institutions. These devices will be used for in vitro diagnostics in the field of clinical microbiology, integrating genetic testing data with clinical data to provide a more comprehensive reflection of the health status of individuals tested.

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, launching a series of clinical diagnostic products targeting various microorganisms. This signifies a further expansion of Jellyfish Genomics’ 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 $1.2 trillion by 2020. As a cornerstone of future precision medicine, genetic testing technology has naturally attracted extensive attention from both the government and capital markets. Recently, the Chinese government released the “Notice on the Second Batch of Demonstration Projects for Genetic Testing Technology Applications,” underscoring the government’s strong emphasis on this market. Based on projections of the substantial scale of China’s future consumer-grade genetic testing market, and leveraging Thermo Fisher Scientific’s robust R&D capabilities in biological detection 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 conducting in-depth research into application scenarios for genetic testing, as well as the stability and accuracy of detection technologies.

It is understood that Jellyfish Genetics currently primarily employs Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Applied Biosystems GeneTitan™ Microarray Analysis System, in conjunction with the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. Building on this foundation, the company continuously guides and launches a growing portfolio of targeted genetic testing services. In the upcoming collaboration, Thermo Fisher Scientific will engage with Jellyfish Genetics’ R&D technical team to support product development. Leveraging Jellyfish Genetics’ leading industry position and robust marketing capabilities, the partnership aims to rapidly and precisely introduce health and wellness products tailored to Chinese consumers.

Senior executives from both parties attended and witnessed this significant ceremony.

Facing the upcoming in-depth collaboration, Tony Acciarito, President of Thermo Fisher Scientific China, stated: “China is one of Thermo Fisher’s most important markets. This partnership with Jellyfish Genomics underscores the significant achievements of our localization strategy. We will continue to collaborate with local customers to help make China healthier, cleaner, and safer.”

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 Britons to create the world’s largest health database. By 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.

In-Depth Exchange Between Dr. Zhao Nan, Chief Scientist at Jellyfish Gene, and Marc Casper, Global President and CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific

Currently, Jellyfish Genomics offers 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. Wang Xiaokang, Founder and CEO of Jellyfish Genomics, is highly confident about the market prospects for genetic testing. He stated, “In China, genetic testing is currently most widely applied in the medical field, with prenatal testing alone reaching millions of cases annually. However, development in non-medical sectors remains relatively nascent. From a technical perspective, genetic testing technologies have become quite mature, both in terms of accuracy and cost control, indicating broad commercial value and diverse application scenarios.”

Regarding the collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wang Xiaokang stated, “Scientific research is the cornerstone of the industry’s healthy development. Looking to the future, Jellyfish Genomics is committed to continuous investment to further strengthen its R&D capabilities, align with medical standards, and provide the public with more professional, rigorous, rapid, and efficient services. Establishing this core strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific will have a positive impact on research and technological applications in the broader health sector. 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 wider range of genetic testing and clinical microbiology testing products that are tailored to local conditions and meet personalized consumer needs, thereby driving the growth of the entire health industry.”