Will AnnoCloud Accelerate Annoroad's Genomic Data Interpretation in Its Pursuit of a Gene Big Data Cloud Ecosystem?

2016Year8In [Month], Annoroad Gene’s big data analytics cloud platform, AnnoCloud, was launched at the Alibaba Cloud Apsara Conference. As the project lead, Yang Jitao delivered an on-site presentation on the cloud platform at the launch event. Years ago, perhaps this pureITA man with a background in science and engineering never imagined he would have anything to do with biotechnology, let alone genomics.

Yang Jitao told VCBeat that his transition from IT to genomics was actually influenced by friends. With several friends in the field of bioinformatics, he developed an interest in the sequencing industry through their influence.“Challenging, yet meaningful.”He told the reporter in this manner, his tone still reflecting the characteristic traits of a programmer—calm and candid.

In 2015, Yang Jitao officially transitioned from the pure IT industry to the field of genetic testing. Compared with professionals with a purely biological background, he was better positioned to identify the application prospects and trends of informatics and big data in gene sequencing.

Dr. Yang Jitao, Project Leader of Annuoyun

China’s gene sequencing industry has developed rapidly, with hundreds of companies of varying sizes and uneven technical capabilities. After sequencing sample data are generated, they must first be analyzed and compared against the original reference data to identify mutation sites. Based on this, the data are further interpreted to ultimately produce results usable by end users. The volume of data generated per sample is substantial, requiring the establishment of a high-performance computing cluster to process it effectively.

For a large platform like Annoroad, building its own computing cluster for data processing is certainly feasible.However, some smaller enterprises simply cannot afford the costs associated with building and maintaining high-performance computing environments.On the other hand, as sequencing costs decline, the volume of sequencing data continues to grow, making long-term storage, transmission, and distribution highly challenging. This is particularly true for sequencing services targeting international users, where data transmission and distribution become even more difficult.

In addition to genetic testing companies, hospitals and researchers also have a significant demand for data analysis and interpretation. However, the awkward reality is that these institutions are often reluctant to invest substantial human and financial resources in developing analytical software and building local data clusters.“So we wondered whether we could teach them this capability.”His tone remained unruffled, but he stated,He hopes to leverageIT Solutions: Lowering the Barrier to Data Analysis Even Further.

Putting words into action, Yang Jitao assembled a team of experts in IT and bioinformatics and decided to start with cloud-based solutions. In the second half of 2015, the Annoroad Cloud project was officially launched. Yang recalls that building the cloud platform involved many technical challenges, but an even greater headache was how to integrate talent from diverse fields. IT professionals lacked biological knowledge, while biologists had insufficient expertise in IT.If there are gaps in communication across various fields, subsequent efforts cannot proceed smoothly.Therefore, team integration is the first step.“The construction of a cloud platform requires the integration of various fields, which is impossible without talent.”He stated.

Once this step was completed, subsequent progress became much easier. In just about a year, the development of AnnoCloud was essentially completed, and the product was officially launched in August 2016.

Currently, cloud platforms in China can be broadly categorized into two types. The first type consists of specialized cloud platforms with a strong IT focus, primarily offering Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) to provide a cloud environment for companies with limited IT capabilities. The second type comprises gene sequencing companies, where the cloud platform serves as one product within their broader portfolio, and their cloud services are more aligned with Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Clearly, Annocloud belongs to the latter category.

Annuoyun emphasizes one-click analysis and precise interpretation.One-click analysis enables data analysis with a single click, simplifying the original analytical workflow. Additionally, precise interpretation is crucial; as the product ultimately serves end users, the accuracy of interpretation directly impacts the successful completion of subsequent tasks.

In addition to the analysis software developed by the team, the cloud platform also provides users with access to Annoroad’s proprietary internal software, accumulated over many years. Meanwhile, the platform offers dedicated transmission lines to deliver enhanced data distribution services.Without a dedicated line, transmission will be very slow.“, this can be considered a drawback of cloud platforms,” Yang Jitao explained to the reporter.

The company’s platform inherently offers scientific research services, which naturally brings numerous collaboration opportunities with research institutes to its cloud platform. In addition, Annocloud has secured partnerships with many hospitals. Unlike research institutes, clinicians at hospitals are not all genetics specialists; therefore, data interpretation for clinical applications is often more complex.

Yang Jitao believes that,Clinicians are key to helping patients achieve precision medicine.. Physicians are, in fact, very willing to see genomics make a meaningful impact in clinical practice,However, to transform genomic data into clinically actionable resources, deeper interpretation is required.On one hand, it involves the relationship between mutation sites and diseases; on the other, it pertains to the identification of targeted therapies. “In my view, to provide better services to hospitals, we need to refine clinical interpretation, offer clinicians guidance and reference, and help patients receive more precise treatment.” He also revealed that,To help users achieve more precise data interpretation, the company has also integrated its own database, accumulated over many years.。

More than six months after its launch, Annuo Cloud continues to roll out updates in response to user and market demands. “Based on current user feedback, the overall development trajectory aligns with our expectations. Nevertheless, we must further explore opportunities driven by market needs,” said Yang Jitao, his tone betraying a rare hint of emotion.

Cloud platforms have, to some extent, lowered the barriers to data analysis and interpretation; however, for certain users, further simplification is still needed. On the other hand, they have also identified a market demand for advanced customized services.Based on this, in addition to its cloud platform, Annoroad is also exploring other channels. On one hand, the company is investing in the development of all-in-one machines, aiming to deploy data analysis and interpretation capabilities locally. This one-stop service approach is designed to address the limitations of cloud platforms in data transmission. On the other hand, given the market’s high demand for customization, off-the-shelf products are insufficient. In the future, the company will provide customized services tailored for professional IT and bioinformatics personnel.

Yang Jitao told reporters that he hoped to leverage the cloud platform,Building a Cloud Ecosystem for Gene Sequencing ServicesFrom tracking and management of sample testing, to data storage, analysis, and interpretation, to report generation, data distribution, and customer management, a comprehensive one-stop information service is built on the cloud, providing users with all informational services beyond sequencing.