Precision medicine is now a growing trend, and Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration has included next-generation sequencing (NGS) in its reimbursement this year. NTU Hospital recently signed an agreement with the genomics company Illumina to collaborate on the development of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), which will assist physicians in understanding disease conditions and predicting risks. The application of WGS will cover areas such as cancer and rare diseases.
NTU Hospital stated that WGS involves sequencing the entire set of human genes, enabling the identification of genomic variations, including single nucleotide variations, copy number variations, structural variations, and sequence insertions and deletions. This helps researchers identify potential pathogenic mechanisms, predict the occurrence or recurrence of diseases, and assess a patient’s drug response, thereby enabling personalized medicine. Additionally, by collecting genetic data from large populations, there is the potential to establish a large genetic database, which could drive the development of the biomedical industry and promote national precision health.
According to NTU Hospital, as NGS technology rapidly advances, sequencing devices have seen continuous improvements in performance, and the cost of WGS has significantly decreased. Using Illumina’s high-throughput sequencing platform, NTU Hospital can complete WGS for 120 people in a single run, doubling the sequencing speed compared to previous methods. The hospital has plans to perform WGS for 50,000 patients, with applications in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, neurological diseases, and rare genetic disorders.
NTU Hospital Director Ming-Shiang Wu noted that as the first hospital in Taiwan to launch a large-scale WGS project involving over 10,000 cases, NTU Hospital hopes that this project will provide deeper insights into the genetic profiles and variations of specific diseases. By understanding how genes influence disease progression, medical professionals can intervene earlier in the treatment process. The signing of this memorandum of understanding with Illumina signifies NTU Hospital’s ongoing commitment to precision medicine. The hospital will continue to invest more resources and manpower to enhance diagnostic and treatment techniques, ultimately improving patient health outcomes and quality of life.
Illumina's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Greater China, Lei Zheng, stated that as a global leader in genetic sequencing and gene chip technology, the company will continue to accelerate its innovation process. By combining global expertise with local needs, Illumina will continue to collaborate with Taiwan’s top clinical and research institutions to explore the potential of genomics in diagnosis and treatment, contributing to the development of precision medicine in Taiwan and globally.
Resource (mandarin): 與業界合作 台大院長：將對全院5萬患者執行全基因定序
