NDRC Approves Construction of 27 Gene Testing Technology Demonstration Centers (First Batch List Included)

In recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the gene industry. In 2015, the establishment of “Demonstration Centers for the Application of Genetic Testing Technology” was included as a key priority under the major project package for emerging industries. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the development of genetic technologies was designated as a core task for innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, a significant measure to improve public health and benefit the population, and an important component of supply-side structural reform.

Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the “Reply on the Construction Plans for the First Batch of Demonstration Centers for Gene Testing Technology Applications” (Fa Gai Ban Gao Ji [2016] No. 534), officially approving the establishment of 27 demonstration centers for gene testing technology applications. The list of approved demonstration centers has gradually been disclosed, and reporters have compiled the list of approved centers currently available on official websites.

According to a report on the official website of the Ningbo Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission on March 31, the construction project for the Ningbo Gene Testing Technology Application Demonstration Center was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in March 2016.

According to a report on the official website of the Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission on April 5, the Sichuan Provincial Demonstration Center for Gene Testing Technology Application was included in the first national batch of application demonstrations.

According to a report on the official website of the Shandong Provincial Development and Reform Commission on April 11, the construction plan for the Shandong Provincial Demonstration Center for Gene Testing Technology Application has been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The NDRC has agreed to the establishment of the “Shandong Provincial Demonstration Center for Gene Testing Technology Application” in Shandong Province.

According to the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, the Ningxia Demonstration Center for the Application of Gene Testing Technology recently received approval from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), becoming one of the first batch of national demonstration centers for the application of gene testing technology.



Promote Genetic Screening for Hereditary Diseases Such as Down Syndrome

The National Development and Reform Commission has initiated the establishment of demonstration centers for the application of genetic testing technologies, aiming to vigorously advance genetic testing techniques. These efforts focus on promoting applications that enhance the prevention and treatment of major diseases, including birth defects, genetic disorders, tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and infectious diseases, thereby accelerating the development of China’s bioindustry and health sector and comprehensively improving population quality.

The Ningbo Gene Testing Technology Application Demonstration Center will focus on building an integrated facility for scientific research, gene testing, result evaluation, treatment guidance, data analysis, and technical consultation. It will provide medical services including non-invasive prenatal screening, personalized oncology care, genetic disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, and personal genome testing. Guided by the philosophy of health management and disease prevention, and supported by high-throughput sequencing technology, the center will actively explore the establishment of the “Ningbo Gene Health Management System” to achieve early diagnosis, detection, intervention, and treatment, thereby enhancing the health management level of the regional population. Upon completion, its annual specimen testing capacity will reach 172,500 cases. The center is expected to open for business in June this year.

The Sichuan Provincial Demonstration Center is constructed under a “1+3+1” model, comprising one comprehensive center, three sub-centers, and one supporting center. The Comprehensive Center (established by Chengdu BGI Medical Laboratory) focuses on screening for birth defects and genetic diseases, while also coordinating overall operations. The three sub-centers include: the Precision Medicine Research Sub-Center (established by Chengdu BGI Clinical Laboratory, jointly built by BGI Group and West China Hospital); the Tumor Prevention and Control Application Sub-Center (established by Chengdu New Genegene Clinical Laboratory); and the High-Throughput Sequencing Sub-Center (established by Chengdu Berry Genomics Clinical Laboratory). The Supporting Center is the Provincial Gene Big Data Database (established by Chengdu Chaoxiao Company), which enables a new model of healthcare information services to benefit the public. Upon completion, the Demonstration Center will promote genetic screening for hereditary diseases such as Down syndrome across the entire province.

Ningxia Demonstration Center for Genetic Testing Technology Application has completed its preliminary design and is scheduled to commence construction in June 2016, with official operation expected by March 2018. Located within the Ningxia Biotechnology Information Industrial Park in the Yinchuan Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the center covers a floor area of 16,218 square meters and is constructed under the initiative of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Upon completion, the center will primarily focus on the clinical application of genetic testing technologies for tumors, monogenic hereditary diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and infectious diseases. It will also engage in the research and development of personalized molecular diagnostic projects, reagent development, and the promotion of industrial applications. The project will enable genetic screening for hereditary conditions such as hereditary deafness and Down syndrome within the Ningxia region, benefiting a population of 30 million and an estimated annual capacity of 150,000 clinical diagnoses.

Note: This article is compiled from the official websites of the Ningbo Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission, the Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and the Shandong Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

Source: Bioon