MGI Announces US$200 Million in First Round Fundraising

Continuous R&D investment delivers breakthroughs in upstream sequencing technology

SHENZHEN, China, May 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI, a subsidiary of BGI Group, has disclosed that its first round of fundraising exceeded US$200 million, the largest amount of capital raised in the genetic field in China in 2018. Investors included well-known institutions such as CITIC Goldstone Capital, Green Pine Capital Partners and Orient Securities Capital Investment.

MGI also highlighted its rapid progress in sequencing technology innovation.

To date more than 1,100 MGI sequencers have been installed globally, covering 16 countries and regions, with over 300 users. The cumulative output of data has reached 20Pb, and more than 300 high-level scientific research papers have been published.

Recently, MGI collaborated with the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to develop a high-throughput gene sequencing integrated machine for Chinese herbal DNA barcodes. The instrument, officially released April 26, is the world's first intelligent instrument for Chinese herbal medicine gene sequencing, and it can accurately and quickly identify Chinese herbal medicine samples.

The key to MGI's emergence as an important developer of life science tools is its continuous investment and breakthroughs in upstream sequencing technology. MGI has invested a total of about 5 billion Yuan in research and development to achieve a foundation of patents of sequencing technology, applying for more than 580 technical patents, including more than 80 PCT patents.

MGI has launched a number of different sequencers since 2015. The main model, the MGISEQ-2000 comprehensive gene sequencer, supports two different specifications of the chip with its two-chip independent operation platform. It takes only 48 hours to sequence a PE100 run at full capacity, and less than 48 hours to complete the rapid detection of 24 tumor samples on average. The company's MGISEQ-T7, released in October 2018, is still the most powerful gene sequencer to date. The single-day data output can reach 6Tb, PE150 sequencing takes only 24 hours, and the cost per Gb sequencing is only US $5 -- the lowest sequencing cost in the world.

MGI is gradually breaking the market monopoly in the upstream of the gene sequencing industry and building a stable and open industrial ecology based on its sequencing platform and independent research and development, changing the inherent closed industry model.

The global sequencing industry market is predicted to grow to US$12.45 billion in 2022, of which the Asia-Pacific region is expected reach US$2.39 billion. By 2020, the market size of China's gene sequencing industry is expected to reach 9.8 billion Yuan (about US$1.43 billion).

As the only company in China and one of only three companies in the world that can independently develop and mass produce clinical high-throughput gene sequencers, MGI's completion of its first round of financing shows the recognition of its research and development capabilities and internationalization. MGI plans to further strengthen research and development and production of new gene sequencers, create a comprehensive product lineup, and commit to market development and ecological construction of the gene sequencing industry.