Bogotá, Colombia, 22 September 2023 – MGI, a company dedicated to developing core tools and technology to lead life science, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Gencell, a health company specializing in molecular biology and genetic services in Colombia and the broader LATAM region. This collaboration leverages Gencell’s expertise and established market presence while integrating MGI’s state-of-the-art DNBSEQ-based sequencers to enhance data analysis capabilities.
The healthcare landscape in Latin America is increasingly a global priority. Growing awareness of precision medicine, rising prevalence of genetic disorders, and the need for advanced diagnostics and personalized treatments have driven the adoption of NGS technologies in the region. However, funding limitations, high instrument costs, and facility maintenance expenses have slowed substantial growth. With increasing demand for NGS testing in cancer diagnostics and genetic screening, laboratories are now prioritizing affordable, high-throughput solutions to improve sample processing speed and expand testing capabilities.
Gencell is emerging as a leading provider of sequencing services in the region. Operating from two molecular laboratories in Bogotá, Colombia, Gencell currently processes, analyzes, and reports approximately 1,500 whole exome sequencing and 1,000 whole genome sequencing cases per month. This capacity is expected to grow as Colombia advances toward becoming a regional leader in genomics, thereby enhancing national medical expertise and capabilities.
“LATAM is becoming a strategic region for human genome studies, enabling a deeper understanding of regional diseases. By embracing NGS, we are advancing health research and creating solutions tailored to our population’s genetic needs,” said Andrés Zapata, General Manager of Gencell. “MGI has proven to be an excellent partner, understanding the challenges LATAM NGS companies face and providing the technology to drive genomics research and applications across the region.”
“With affordable sequencing, many new clinical applications will open in LATAM. This collaboration will accelerate genomics research, leading to improved cancer treatments, advances in longevity, and the development of ground-breaking medicines and vaccines,” said Yongwei Zhang, General Manager of MGI LATAM.
Gencell now operates a complete workflow with MGI, including the high-throughput sequencers DNBSEQ-T7RS* and DNBSEQ-G400RS*, automated sample preparation systems MGISP960 and MGISP100, and the ZTRON data platform appliance. By combining their respective strengths and expertise, MGI and Gencell are committed to accelerating the adoption of advanced sequencing technologies and advancing superior patient care throughout the LATAM region.
About Gencell
Gencell is a Colombian company with presence in 5 countries in the LATAM region and more than 14 years of experience. It is the first regional laboratory to have a Genomic Sequencing Center, and its mission is focused on offering comprehensive health solutions and services in the areas of diagnosis, precision medicine, research, specialized technologies in molecular biology, telemedicine and bioinformatics. For more information, please visit Gencell here.
