Q&A interview with Jace Sun, General Manager, BGI Genomics West Asia

Shenzhen-based BGI Genomics is helping shape the future of healthcare by integrating genomic, epigenetic, microbiome, imaging, and lifestyle data, analysed with AI. With the company playing a key role in advancing genomics in Saudi Arabia, Jace Sun, General Manager of BGI Genomics West Asia, shared insights into its future plans.

How is BGI Genomics integrating AI into its solutions?

BGI Genomics is actively building a globally leading multi-omics database, providing rich data resources for the training and optimization of AI models. Leveraging this data, the company has developed GeneT, a multimodal large-scale gene testing model, and launched ChatGeneT, an AI-powered genomic consultation platform.

Together with “i99”, a pioneering multi-omics model for proactive disease prevention and health management, BGI Genomics has established a strong leadership position in the field of AI-driven medical innovation.

The company partners with over 1,000 medical institutions in more than 100 countries, integrating AI-powered analytics and advanced bioinformatics to enhance accuracy and efficiency in genetic testing. Genalive, a joint venture lab in Saudi Arabia, exemplifies its commitment to delivering precision medicine tailored to regional needs.

Can you share more about your activities in Saudi Arabia — particularly your Genalive collaboration — and the healthcare gaps this partnership addresses?

In June 2023, BGI Genomics partnered with Tibbiyah Holding to launch Genalive, an independent clinical genomics laboratory in Riyadh. Spanning 4,000 m², it is one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Saudi Arabia, equipped with high-throughput sequencing platforms, AI-powered bioinformatics pipelines, and a large-scale private-sector data center.

Genalive directly addresses key healthcare gaps in the Kingdom. It enables faster, localized access to advanced genomic diagnostics, improving early detection of inherited disorders, prenatal anomalies, and cancer predispositions. One urgent issue it tackles is the under-screening of colorectal cancer—where 62.7% of individuals in a 2023 survey reported never being tested. Genalive has introduced COLOTECT™, a non-invasive, high-sensitivity screening test aimed at boosting awareness and early detection.

Through this collaboration, BGI Genomics is helping strengthen Saudi Arabia’s precision medicine capabilities, support epidemic surveillance, and advance the goals of Vision 2030 by building a resilient, localized, and innovation-led healthcare infrastructure.

What other collaborations are you currently involved in within Saudi Arabia?

We are actively engaged in strategic collaborations across Saudi Arabia, particularly in the fields of education and precision medicine innovation. Notably, we are partnering with leading institutions such as King Saud University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to co-develop advanced programs in genomics and precision medicine education and research. These efforts are closely aligned with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, to drive better health outcomes.

How do your initiatives support and align with the goals of Vision 2030?

Our initiatives directly support and align with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing healthcare transformation, fostering knowledge transfer, and strengthening local capacity in medical innovation. A prime example is Genalive, the joint venture between BGI Genomics and Tibbiyah Holding, which exemplifies successful international collaboration aimed at modernizing the Kingdom’s healthcare sector.

In March, Genalive was awarded a landmark contract by the Saudi National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO) for a three-year centralized procurement project valued at 950 million RMB—the largest of its kind in NUPCO’s history. The project includes 930,000 testing services covering next-generation sequencing (NGS), pathology, cytogenetics, and Sanger sequencing, and will serve 83 public hospitals across the Kingdom.

Through services such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), whole exome sequencing (WES), non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), hereditary cancer screening, and more, we are enhancing diagnostic accuracy and accessibility for Saudi patients.

Genalive not only delivers cutting-edge genomic solutions but also integrates equipment supply and technical training to build local expertise. This full-spectrum service model strengthens Saudi Arabia’s healthcare infrastructure, supports the localization of advanced medical services, and contributes to the development of a knowledge-based economy—all core objectives of Vision 2030.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, which other markets in the GCC or Asia are you prioritising for expansion?

Beyond Saudi Arabia, BGI Genomics is expanding across the GCC and Asia, focusing on markets with a growing need to enhance personal healthcare, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and foster meaningful, long-term partnerships in both clinical and research fields.

We deploy regional genomics facilities and logistic networks, supporting diagnostic services and technology localization. Our regional model builds on pandemic-era experience—transitioning high-throughput lab platforms into routine precision testing, and engaging in broad collaborations that advance national health strategies confidentiality intact.

Are there any new initiatives involving AI or data that you’re currently working on?

Yes, we’re actively working on several exciting AI and data-driven initiatives. At our Genalive lab in Saudi Arabia, we’re using AI-enhanced pipelines to deliver faster, more accurate genomic diagnostics.

One of our key innovations, the i99 model, is designed to integrate genomic data with medical imaging and real-time physiological information. It paves the way for predictive, personalized healthcare.

We’re also collaborating on public health data analytics to support smarter, more proactive healthcare systems across the region. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to using AI and data to transform how care is delivered.