December 9, 2024 –Macrogen, a global leader in genomic analysis, in partnership with DNA Link, Theragen Bio, and CG invites, has been selected as the final contractor forNational Integrated Bio Big Data Project, supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and commissioned by the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.
With the final contract signed, the Macrogen consortium will begin the project in full force this month, producing genomic and tranomic data as well as conducting preliminary analysis for the construction of the national bio big data. The entire project will be carried out over a three-year period, concluding in 2026.
As the lead organization of the consortium, Macrogen will play a key role in producing and analyzing 145,952 whole genome sequencing (WGS) data and 2,800 tranomic (mRNA) data. This effort is expected to contribute to the establishment of a foundation for future medical services aimed at predicting and diagnosing diseases that are particularly prent among Koreans, as well as enhance the overall competitiveness of the domestic bio-health industry.
Macrogen was selected as the final contractor after successfully completing the previous Phase 1 and Phase 2 pilot projects, earning recognition for its high-quality data production and analysis capabilities. With 27 years of accumulated expertise in genomic analysis, international certifications, and a strong track record in domestic research projects, Macrogen was highly rated for its rapid processes, quality management, and security systems.
The national integrated bio big data project, the largest of its kind in Korea’s genome solution market, is an R&D initiative aimed at integrating and opening clinical, genomic, omics, public, and individual health data. By 2028, it aims to build bio big data for approximately 770,000 people, with a total of 1 million Koreans by 2032. The data will be made available to domestic and international researchers in fields such as medical research, pharmaceutical and medical device development, disease prevention, and personalized medicine.
The genome and tranomic data to be built will serve as essential foundational materials for a deep understanding of the genetic characteristics of Koreans, enabling early disease prediction and precise diagnostics. This project is expected to lead the way in constructing data that reflects the unique disease characteristics of Koreans, elevate Korea’s bio big data capabilities to a global level, and contribute to the expansion of precision medicine research and personalized treatment services.
Eung-Ryong Lee, Head of Macrogen’s Genome Business Division (Project Lead), stated, "Being selected as the contractor for the National Integrated Bio Big Data Project is a testament to Macrogen’s expertise and technological prowess in genomic analysis. Major countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. have built large-scale bio datas to develop new drugs targeting diseases that affect their populations. Through this project, Korea will accelerate the construction of bio big data, which will become central to future precision medicine, and strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic bio-health industry. The four companies in our consortium will closely cooperate to successfully complete this crucial genomic analysis task."