Illumina, Inc. has been selected to provide whole-genome sequencing services for the SG-INSIGHT study, a cohort under Phase III of Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme, the company announced. The study is expected to include approximately one in 10 Singapore residents, or around 450,000 individuals, and is designed to generate evidence from genomic and health data to help inform preventive approaches to healthcare.

A shift toward patients with medical conditions

According to the announcement, the study marks a planned transition from studying genomics primarily in healthy volunteers to studying those with a broad range of medical conditions. By connecting genomic information with real-world health data, SG-INSIGHT aims to better understand disease and treatment responses, support the responsible introduction of genetic screening in Singapore's public healthcare system, and help healthcare become more tailored to individuals over time.

“Phase III builds on nearly a decade of precision medicine in Singapore,” said Professor Patrick Tan, Executive Director of PRECISE. "By extending the programme to patients across the public healthcare system, SG-INSIGHT aims to deepen understanding of how genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors are associated with health and disease. Phase III reflects Singapore's ambition to build a trusted and sustainable precision health ecosystem grounded in the needs and diversity of its population."

Sequencing work based in Singapore

Illumina will perform the sequencing in Singapore through its local genomics facility, where scientific, laboratory and bioinformatics teams will oversee sample preparation, sequencing, and genomic data analysis. Co-located with Illumina's manufacturing and R&D operations, the facility will seek the necessary accreditation and comply with Singapore's Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA), according to the announcement, strengthening its commitment to quality, safety, regulatory compliance and biomedical innovation.

Illumina said its selection for the SG-INSIGHT study was awarded through an international competitive tender. It builds on an existing multi-year engagement through which Illumina supported the implementation and delivery of NPM Phase II, PRECISE-SG100K, covering more than 100,000 genomes from healthy volunteers.

"For nearly two decades, Singapore has been one of Illumina's most important centres for innovation, manufacturing and talent in Asia Pacific,“ said Nilesh Shah, Head of Region, Asia Pacific, Illumina. ”Our long-standing relationship with PRECISE represents the next chapter in that commitment - combining Singapore's leadership in precision health with Illumina's local genomic capabilities and regional expertise. We remain committed to investing in the people, technology and partnerships that can help advance genomics responsibly in Singapore and across the region."

Illumina's Singapore footprint

Illumina established its presence in Singapore in 2008. According to the company, Singapore today serves as its Asia Pacific regional headquarters and one of its largest hubs outside the United States, with more than 1,700 employees across three locations. Illumina operations in Singapore encompass commercial operations, manufacturing, and R&D, supporting global research and innovation across sequencing platforms, software, and emerging technologies.

About PRECISE and programme funding

Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) is the national central entity coordinating Singapore's multi-phase National Precision Medicine programme. Established to drive a whole-of-Singapore effort, PRECISE works with research, clinical and industry partners to generate insights into Asian genomics and translate these into better health outcomes and economic opportunities.

PRECISE is a programme of the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore. NPM Phase II is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) under the White Space funding (MOH-000588 and MOH-001264) and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. NPM Phase III is supported by the Singapore MOH through the NMRC Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd under the NMRC NPM Phase III Funding Initiative (MOH-001734).

About Illumina

Illumina describes itself as improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. The company says its focus on innovation has established it as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Its products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments.