Pakse, Laos, 17 March 2022 – MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI), a global life science innovator, has developed Champa LSEA Laboratory, the first third-party detection centre in Laos. The project was established with support from the Life Sciences Economy Alliance (LSEA) and Sithandone Joint Development Co., Ltd. (STD) to help Laos expand its large-scale COVID-19 testing capacity and prepare for the gradual reopening of its borders in 2022.
The innovative container laboratory was delivered to Champassak Province on 17 March and installed at Champassak Provincial Hospital, STD’s partner in the USD 11 million project.
Under the Green Zone Travel Plan, the Lao government authorised the partial reopening of its borders from 1 January to welcome visitors and support the recovery of the travel and tourism sector. However, with ongoing community transmission of COVID-19, strengthening testing, prevention and control systems remains essential.
Champa LSEA Laboratory Arrives at Champassak Provincial Hospital
Built within a 12-metre shipping container and designed to meet large-scale testing demands, the Champa LSEA Laboratory is equipped with MGI’s automated systems, enabling technicians to process up to 3,000 samples per day. With pooled testing of ten samples per tube, throughput can reach 30,000 samples per day, significantly increasing Laos’ nucleic acid testing efficiency and capacity.
The container laboratory simplifies procedures traditionally associated with diagnostic testing. It includes two high-automation systems: the MGISP-960 for sample preparation and the MGISTP-7000 for sample transfer. These systems reduce manual labour requirements, shorten turnaround times for results and streamline the overall workflow.
Delivered with extraction reagents, consumables and protective materials, the Biosafety Level 2 laboratory is equipped with advanced ventilation, air-exchange and pressure-control systems. The facility also includes sterilisation capabilities and is organised into three functional areas: a reagent preparation room, a sample preparation room and an amplification room.
Designed with mobility in mind, the container laboratory can be transported and rapidly deployed in locations such as stadiums, sports fields, community hospitals, district hospitals or public health departments during emergency situations where mass testing is required. This approach reduces both the time needed for sample transportation and travel time for local residents requiring PCR testing.
In addition, the laboratory can serve as a monitoring station for virus mutation, making it a versatile resource for pandemic response and disease surveillance.
“As a responsible global corporate citizen, MGI’s impact is not only felt in Laos but across South-East Asia and around the world. Since the start of the pandemic, MGI has played an instrumental role in the fight against COVID-19 by helping communities and governments scale up testing capacity while creating safer working environments for frontline healthcare workers,” said Roy Tan.
With the pandemic placing pressure on public health systems worldwide, MGI has supported global testing efforts by providing automation systems to more than 70 countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Champa LSEA Laboratory, initiated by Champassak Provincial Hospital and STD, will benefit Champassak Province and surrounding areas in the prevention and control of COVID-19. The advanced laboratory systems provided by MGI will help reduce labour requirements while improving testing efficiency and capacity,” said Khamsing Keothongku.
Beyond the Pandemic
Looking beyond COVID-19, the Champa LSEA Laboratory has the potential to become a long-term public health asset for Laos. Using MGI’s high-throughput sequencing technology*, the laboratory could support monitoring and control of other infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and tuberculosis. It may also assist in early detection of birth defects, tumours and other potential health conditions.
Approved by the Ministry of Health, the Champa LSEA Laboratory reflects ongoing cooperation between China and Laos. Through collaboration in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries aim to strengthen shared public health resilience and development.
*StandardMPS and CoolMPS sequencing reagents, and sequencers for use with such reagents, are not available in Germany, USA, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Sweden, Belgium and Italy.
About LSEA
The Life Sciences Economy Alliance (LSEA) is a cross-sector alliance dedicated to advancing life science innovation and promoting international collaboration in the life sciences industry. Its mission is to connect global stakeholders through platforms and programmes that foster scientific cooperation and technological development.
The Champa LSEA Laboratory in Laos, developed by LSEA members, is expected to significantly strengthen the country’s precision medicine capabilities. LSEA also provides a standardised laboratory accreditation system and trained operators to help ensure the efficiency and quality of nucleic acid testing.
Through collaboration across the Belt and Road regions, LSEA aims to build a global life science community that contributes to shared development and improved healthcare outcomes.
About STD
Sithandone Joint Development Co., Ltd. (STD) is the developer of the Four Thousand Islands New Area project in Champassak Province, one of the largest foreign investment developments in Laos.
The project aims to create an environmentally sustainable modern town featuring resorts, leisure facilities and international tourism infrastructure. Plans include an Asian Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, an agricultural research centre, processing facilities and other tourism-related services.
STD plans to invest more than USD 9 billion, with a target of attracting 2.3 million visitors annually by 2030 and 15 million visitors annually by 2050.
Located in Khong District along islands in the Mekong River in southern Laos, the project covers more than 9,846 hectares.
