Wang Jian, Chairman & Co-founder of BGI Group, recently visited Thailand to speak to Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prayut Chan-o-cha on January 10, 2023, and discuss medical genomics and the development of life sciences with the public sector and other organisations.
Wang Jian expressed the hope to see cooperation between government organisations and partners in Thailand to establish the “International Innovation Center for Life Science” in Thailand in the future, as this would position Thailand as a regional hub for medical genomics as well as a centre for treating thalassemia, and would prepare the ground to provide relevant services to the Thai public.
Wang Jian also met with Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, and Sathit Pitutecha, Deputy Minister of Public Health, to discuss the expansion of cooperation with the public health system and further development of life sciences in Thailand.
“We truly believe that the creation of the International Innovation Center for Life Science will finally be achieved because Thailand has many internationally recognised medical teams and a high level of medical advancement and standards. Additionally, Thailand also has national policies that support development in the field of genomics. As such, we are confident that both parties will expand collaboration in their areas of expertise, education and training, and exchanges will take place with the assistance of related organisations. As the old saying goes, ‘Teaching people how to fish is more effective than giving a fish to them.’ This cooperation will enable the younger generations to keep pace with the development of cutting-edge technologies and enable the world’s leading modern technologies to serve Thailand and benefit the Thai public.”
Wang Jian further stated that, “BGI and Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, have discussed further cooperation around development, innovation and research. BGI has achieved success in many areas of China. For instance, it has developed the technology to grow rice that can be sowed once and harvested multiple times over the course of three to five years. This perennial rice reduces the cost and consumption of seeds, fertiliser and water. Energy consumption, including labour force, and other resource requirements are be reduced, resulting in a decrease in carbon emissions and global warming. Our discussions and studies will therefore continue.”
“Over the past 20 years, I have held to the belief that ‘omics’ and related technologies for all will benefit mankind. BGI has its own unique strategic thinking in scientific development, technological innovation and industrial development. Additionally, we actively encourage innovation in talent and technology, and reduce industrial costs through large-scale developments. This, in turn, reduces incidences of diseases and helps everyone enjoy a healthy life. BGI plans to cooperate with government organisations and partners in Thailand to conduct preventive screening for genetic diseases and prevent and control cancer using genetic technologies. Besides, we provide assistance to help gain control over infectious diseases around the world. Thus, we achieve our purpose of benefiting mankind at depth.”
Established in 1999 and headquartered in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, BGI is committed to playing a key role in the Human Genome Project. The company has over 10,000 employees in 100 countries and regions worldwide. It has published over 4,000 research papers, over 400 of which appear in leading scientific journals such as Nature, Science, Cell, and New England Journal of Medicine. Moreover, it has obtained over 1,700 patents. BGI Genomics, a subsidiary of BGI, is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. MGI Tech Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of BGI, listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2022. According to 2022 Nature Index, BGI ranks eighth globally and first among life science industrial institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.
To combat the pandemic that has raged around the world in recent years, BGI performs pathogen genome sequencing and has successfully developed a diagnostic kit for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been recognised internationally and approved for its use worldwide. Moreover, BGI sequenced and successfully developed diagnostic kits for the SARS virus and avian influenza in 2000 and 2004 respectively.
In 2017, BGI Genomics, a subsidiary of BGI, established the joint venture, Bangkok Genomics Innovation Co., Ltd., to pursue providing screening Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Testing (NIFTY) and other Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) services. The company, which went public as Bangkok Genomics Innovation Public Company Limited in 2022, applies modern concepts and technologies to provide medical services in Thailand to develop effective
healthcare service systems. For its part, Bangkok Genomics Innovation Public Company Limited supports the field of precision medicine using applied science and technology to aid the development of targeted and specific medical treatments to guide diagnosis and treatment options for better outcomes and disease prevention.
