From Start Up to Scale Up: Tracing NovogeneAIT Genomics’ NPM Journey

Supporting the seamless transition of Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme from the proof-of-concept phase to the proof-of-value phase are partners who share the same commitment to the cause.

Among these partners is NovogeneAIT Genomics. Mr Justin Lee, Chief Executive Officer, NovogeneAIT Genomics, shared insights into how his team successfully scaled as NPM progressed from Phase I to Phase II, providing reliable, cost effective and high quality sequencing services for the large-scale population genomics project.

NovogeneAIT Genomics is a local startup—incorporated in December 2016 as a joint venture between Novogene and AITbiotech—to collaborate with A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) in establishing a Whole Genome Sequencing centre.

The set up of this centre marked a significant milestone, enabling Singapore to take the lead in large-scale sequencing capability in Asia for the first time. Moreover, it played a crucial role in supporting important public research initiatives that have benefited both the Singapore biotech ecosystem and the wider region.

What is the involvement of NovogeneAIT Genomics in Singapore’s NPM journey? 

Before the establishment of NovogeneAIT Genomics, AITbiotech had collaborated with GIS to offer Next-Generation Sequencing services. This laid the foundation for the public-private partnership between NovogeneAIT Genomics and GIS to establish a joint sequencing lab in 2017, and subsequently, NovogeneAIT Genomics involvement in NPM Phase I.

At that time, we were a young startup with a modest setup. Over time, we invested in hardware and software, including the upgrade of our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). We also enhanced our team's capabilities by recruiting the right talent and facilitating knowledge transfer from our partners. Furthermore, we optimised our laboratory workflows and implemented automation to increase productivity, while ensuring alignment with our partners. The journey was challenging, but gradually, we gained momentum and translated our learnings into best practices.

In 2021, NPM Phase II was launched and we were appointed by Illumina as the sole sequencing provider to carry out Whole Genome Sequencing for 100,000 consented individuals as part of the PRECISE-SG100K project. Leveraging our learnings from NPM Phase I and building on strong partnerships with various research institutions, scientists, and stakeholders, we hit the ground running within three months.

The scale of Phase II was significantly larger than that of Phase I. To manage this development, we expanded our team, implemented state-of-the-art lab automation, established robust training programmes, and offered attractive career development opportunities to enhance local talent development and retention.

As of December 2023, PRECISE-SG100K has sequenced 50,000 whole genomes.

How has NovogeneAIT Genomics’ partnership with NPM benefited Singapore?

The partnership between NPM and NovogeneAIT Genomics has facilitated the establishment of a large-scale commercial sequencing facility which supports the local biotech ecosystem. Prior to the SG10K_Health project and the establishment of our sequencing facility, many local research organisations and universities could only send their samples to GIS or sequencing facilities in other countries.

The launch of SG10K_Health allowed NovogeneAIT Genomics to expand our scale and scope of operations, resulting in greater economies of scale. The partnership with the NPM programme made it cost-efficient to establish a large-scale commercial sequencing facility, and boost Singapore's capability to process genomic samples from other countries, strengthening its position as a regional genomic research hub.

Another significant gain from this collaboration is the development of human capital. Skilled workforce is crucial for the operation of the sequencing platform, sample and data management. In the early stages of Singapore’s precision medicine journey, NovogeneAIT Genomics brought in specialists from our partners for knowledge transfer and to support our local team. This technology transfer has proven valuable, with the core team running the lab today composed mostly of Singaporeans.

How has the partnership with NPM benefited NovogeneAIT Genomics?

First, our collaboration with GIS and NPM has allowed us to gain extensive experience in large-scale Next-Generation Sequencing operations. This has prompted us to refine our standard operating procedures to align with industry’s best practices, directly enhancing our overall quality and delivery. The positive reputation gained from delivering quality work in a landmark project has fostered trust among prospective customers and partners, constituting the first dimension of our growth.

Since our involvement in NPM Phase I, NovogeneAIT Genomics has significantly expanded our market coverage and presence across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region. Our customer base has diversified to include more than 300 organisations, ranging from neighbouring developing markets such as Indonesia and Thailand to larger and more mature markets like South Korea, Japan and Australia.

Ultimately, our customers’ trust in our services serves as an affirmation of our data quality and reliability. While price is a key determinant for choosing service providers, researchers also prioritise reliability and data quality. To address this, we create a robust sample-to-data delivery workflow and maximise economies of scale. The success of the SG10K_Health and PRECISE-SG100K projects has allowed us to scale effectively. In fact, our scale prompted us to establish our own logistics hub and a proprietary Customer Service System (CSS), enabling customers to easily track their samples through a user-friendly portal.

What is on the horizon for NovogeneAIT Genomics?

We are sincerely grateful and honoured for the opportunity to contribute to both the SG10K_Health and PRECISE-SG100K projects, and we are enthusiastic about the prospect of continuing this engagement into the next phase of NPM. On a business level, our goal is clear—to maintain leadership in the sequencing field by prioritising cost-effectiveness, enhancing customer experience, and ensuring the highest level of data quality.

To achieve this, we are committed to invest in several key areas. First and foremost, we will focus on upskilling our team, ensuring that they are equipped with the latest knowledge and expertise. Additionally, we will continue to invest in new and better technology to drive up productivity. We also have plans to venture into clinical-grade sequencing and explore new frontiers in omics, such as proteomics.

Concurrently, we are dedicated to contribute towards the development of next-generation life science and biotech talent. This includes offering internship placements, sharing knowledge and experiences at universities, and collaborating with research institutes. By doing so, we aim to not only stay at the forefront of the industry but also contribute to its continuous advancement.