MGI Tech Co., Ltd. has significantly expanded its partnership with the Diagnostic Support Unit (UNADIG) of Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) to advance genetic sequencing capabilities for cancer diagnostics and epidemiological surveillance. The collaboration builds on a successful relationship established during the COVID-19 pandemic, when MGI's MGISP-960 extractor equipment enabled UNADIG to process more than 3 million samples across Brazil.
Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities
The expanded partnership will transform UNADIG's molecular genetics capabilities, enabling the processing of over 2,000 samples weekly for diagnosing infectious diseases, genetic conditions, and major cancer types including breast, ovarian, colorectal, and prostate cancers. The facility will also conduct individual gene sequencing for both sporadic and hereditary cancers.
UNADIG operates two high-capacity laboratories: the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory (DCLIN) with a daily processing capacity of approximately 29,000 samples, and the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (DIMOL) capable of processing between 9,000 and 15,000 RT-PCR samples daily. The new agreement maintains existing molecular testing capabilities while significantly advancing DNA-based testing infrastructure.
Advanced Technology Implementation
To support the expanded operations, UNADIG has acquired comprehensive MGI equipment including 14 MGISP-960 nucleic acid extractors, one MGISP-100 automated genomic library preparation system, two DNBSEQ-G400 sequencers, one DNBSEQ-T7 sequencer, and one ZTRON platform for genomic data storage and analysis. These technologies are designed to enhance processing speed and accuracy while improving sample handling safety and reducing contamination risks.
"The goal of this collaboration is to help transform healthcare delivery, with a focus on efficiency and accessibility, as it will contribute to expanding access for the Brazilian population to high-complexity laboratory tests with greater speed and reduced costs," explained Carlos Carpio, Senior Commercial Director of MGI Latin America and General Manager for Brazil. "This will accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of oncological and epidemiological diseases, strengthening the country's response to outbreaks and epidemics."
Precision Medicine Impact
The partnership emphasizes the clinical benefits of precision medicine implementation in Brazil's public health system. Erika Martins de Carvalho, General Coordinator of UNADIG-RJ of the Vice Presidency of Health Production and Innovation at Fiocruz, highlighted the transformative potential: "Precision medicine brings significant benefits to patients and to the public health system, enabling early diagnoses, more effective treatments and the optimization of clinical protocols. This results in cost savings, waste reduction and greater effectiveness of tests and therapies."
Strategic Market Expansion
MGI's Brazilian operations have expanded significantly, with the company inaugurating a Customer Experience Center in São Paulo in 2024 to provide hands-on demonstrations and technical training for clinical laboratories and healthcare institutions. The company has also established partnerships with major Brazilian healthcare organizations including Dasa, Grupo Sabin, and Oncoclínicas&Co to broaden genetic sequencing applications for cancer diagnosis, rare diseases, and other conditions.
The collaboration represents a significant advancement in Brazil's diagnostic infrastructure, positioning the country to better address both routine healthcare needs and emergency response capabilities through enhanced genetic sequencing technologies.
