Behind BGI: Tech decreasing gene sequencing costs

Li Bin, the vice president of BGI Group, is under the interview. 

The prospect of every individual having a mapped genetic profile to guide their lives is becoming increasingly tangible, according to Li Bin, vice president of BGI Group, a heavyweight in Chinese genomics.

A photo of the BGI Center's building in the Yantian District.

This vision is steadily materializing thanks to growing understanding of precise preventative measures and the declining costs of genetic sequencing tests. Li conveyed this perspective in an interview conducted at the BGI Center, the company’s global headquarters, in the Yantian District.

During a tour of the center, a graphical representation displayed a red line depicting the decreasing cost of gene sequencing and a blue line indicating the rising number of individuals who have undergone genetic profiling. This trend underscores the growing global embrace of genetic technology. 

A graphical representation shows a red line depicting the decreasing cost of gene sequencing and a blue line indicating the rising number of individuals who have undergone genetic profiling in the center.

Established in 1999, BGI Group has evolved to include various subsidiaries and research institutes covering the entire gene sequencing industry spectrum.

More than 20 years ago, scientists from six countries dedicated 13 years and US$3.8 billion to completely sequence the whole genome of a single individual under the Human Genome Project, and BGI was established to participate in this grand project.  

Today, with advancements in technology, the test kit cost for one person's whole genome sequencing using ultra high-throughput sequencers is less than US$100. One of such sequencers can process up to 50,000 whole genome sequencing tests within a year. This cannot be achieved without the sequencing technology and equipment developed by MGI Tech, a spinout from BGI and a public listed company.

The DNBSEQ-T20x2 machines in the center.

The DNBSEQ-T20x2 machines, launched by MGI Tech in 2023, are the abovementioned machines. Fueled by the company's core technologies, MGI Tech received the China Patent Gold Awards in 2023, a prestigious recognition in the country's patent landscape. One critical aspect of this technology is the chip design, which significantly impacts sequencing quality and accessibility.

When talking about the global impact, a representative from MGI Tech said, “Our T20 machines have garnered six domestic and international awards and secured two major orders from prominent firms in Europe and the Middle East within a month.”

In 2023, MGI Tech's overseas gene sequencing equipment sales reached about 849 million yuan (US$117 million), marking a 41.82% year-on-year increase, with business operations spanning 100 countries and regions. The same year, the company invested 910 million yuan, recording a revenue of 31.26%.

Li emphasized that prioritizing precise prevention over treatment would enhance overall health conditions, leading to a longer lifespan for individuals and significantly reducing the burden on community health care. He envisions a future where gene sequencing becomes commonplace, benefiting mankind as a whole.