Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH), and Mirxes, to increase patient access to affordable, advanced genomic testing for cancer in Singapore, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement on 14 June 2024. The agreement formalizes the commitment to collaborate, develop and clinically validate advanced, next-generation sequencing (NGS) genomic testing solutions and cancer research tailored specifically to address the needs of the Southeast Asian population. There is limited access to affordable genomic testing in cancer, which has been a challenge in many countries across Southeast Asia.

Local access to rapid NGS testing in cancer allows healthcare providers to select the most appropriate therapy for individualized patients. The National University Hospital Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Centre at Biopolis currently offers NGS testing for four common cancers: non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and plans to expand access in more countries in the region in the near future.