Genetic Alliance adds 3 labs to global genomics network

Genetic Alliance has added Children’s Mercy, SN Genelab and Xcelom to its international laboratory network to expand no-cost whole genome sequencing for children with suspected genetic conditions. The move grows the program’s reach in the U.S., India and Hong Kong as the network looks to serve more underserved families across 14 countries.

Why it matters: - The expansion increases access to clinical whole genome sequencing for children and families who might otherwise go without a genetic diagnosis. - The three new partners add capacity in the U.S., South Asia and Asia-Pacific, widening the network’s geographic reach. - The program has already delivered no-cost genomic testing to nearly 4,000 underserved families.

What happened: - Genetic Alliance announced that Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri; SN Genelab in Surat, India; and Xcelom in Hong Kong joined its global genomics laboratory network. - The laboratories will provide clinical whole genome sequencing using Pacific Biosciences HiFi long-read technology at no cost to eligible families. - Families are referred through Genetic Alliance’s network of 26 clinical sites in 14 countries. - The organization selected the laboratories through a competitive application process.

The details: - Children’s Mercy brings pediatric genomic medicine and rare disease diagnostic expertise to the network. - SN Genelab becomes Genetic Alliance’s first laboratory partner in India. - Xcelom becomes Genetic Alliance’s first laboratory partner in Hong Kong SAR, China. - Xcelom, a subsidiary of Berry Genomics, provides clinically validated long-read whole genome sequencing and is expected to help extend access across the Asia-Pacific region. - SN Genelab specializes in rare diseases, oncology and reproductive health, and offers more than 650 genomic diagnostic tests. - SN Genelab has performed more than 1.5 million genetic tests and operates PacBio Revio, Oxford Nanopore, Illumina NovaSeq X and NovaSeq 6000 systems. - Xcelom operates a CAP-accredited facility in Hong Kong. - Genetic Alliance said the partners met standards for clinical quality, technical capability and collaborative engagement.

Between the lines: - The additions suggest Genetic Alliance is building a more distributed testing model for rare disease care. - Long-read whole genome sequencing can improve the chances of finding hard-to-detect genetic changes, which makes lab capacity and regional access especially important. - Ryan Taft, Genetic Alliance’s chief scientific officer, said each new laboratory adds expertise, technologies and opportunities for children who might otherwise never receive a genetic diagnosis.

What's next: - Genetic Alliance plans to use the expanded network to reach more children with suspected rare genetic diseases regardless of where they live. - The organization is also seeking additional supporters for the network through its donation page: More information. - Genetic Alliance said the broader consortium will continue working to expand equitable access to genomic testing and integrate genomic medicine into patient care worldwide.