Oxford Nanopore to Establish Genomic CoE in India in Collaboration with BRIC

The initiative aims to elevate the country's global standing in biomedical research and healthcare innovation by embedding next-generation sequencing capabilities in high-impact domains.

Global molecular sensing technology leader Oxford Nanopore Technologies has announced a major step forward in India's genomic science landscape.

The company has signed Letters of Intent (LoIs) with two premier Indian research institutions—BRIC-CDFD (Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics) and BRIC-NIBMG (National Institute of Biomedical Genomics)—to establish two new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in genomics.

These collaborations were formalized in the presence of Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and aim to advance India's capabilities in genomics research and public health.

The CoEs are expected to focus on key areas, including rare diseases, cancer, and infectious disease surveillance. They will also be pivotal in skilling and training the next generation of Indian genome scientists and healthcare professionals.

A Strategic Push to Advance Genomic Research

The CoEs, enabled by Oxford Nanopore's cutting-edge nanopore-based sequencing technology, are part of India's broader scientific ambitions.

The initiative aims to elevate the country's global standing in biomedical research and healthcare innovation by embedding next-generation sequencing capabilities in high-impact domains.

In its first collaboration, Oxford Nanopore and BRIC-CDFD will work together to apply the company's real-time sequencing platforms for research and clinical translation in the field of rare diseases.

The partnership will provide BRIC-CDFD access to Oxford Nanopore's rapidly evolving technology, allowing researchers to conduct advanced genetic diagnostics and contribute to faster identification and characterization of rare genetic conditions relevant to the Indian population.

Ullas Kolthur, Director of BRIC-CDFD, commented, "This collaboration, at the forefront of genomic science, will boost both basic and applied research in rare disease discoveries, precision diagnosis, and forensic biotechnology. A strong focus on skill development will further empower India's next-generation genome scientists by expanding BRIC-CDFD's training infrastructure."

Expanding into Cancer, AMR & Maternal Health Research

The second Letter of Intent, signed with BRIC-NIBMG, outlines plans to use Oxford Nanopore's technology to drive innovation across multiple health sectors.

This includes new pipelines for newborn screening, research into maternal and child health, and deeper investigations into the genomic underpinnings of cancers, especially oral cancer—a condition with high prevalence in India.

BRIC-NIBMG will also integrate nanopore sequencing into its work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, aligning with India's participation in the 'One Health' agenda that links human, animal, and environmental health.

This is particularly significant as AMR poses one of the most pressing threats to global health systems.

Dr Sagar Sengupta, Director of BRIC-NIBMG, said, "We are excited about this partnership with Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The Centre of Excellence will support major innovations in biomedical genomics, spanning cancer research, maternal and child health, pathogen tracking, and AMR surveillance. Our expertise, combined with Oxford Nanopore's platform, will help address key public health challenges."

Strengthening the India-UK Life Sciences Alliance

The announcement comes as part of a broader momentum in UK-India collaboration in life sciences and advanced technologies.

It aligns with the 2025 UK-India Health and Life Sciences Memorandum of Understanding and the recently launched 2024 UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI).

Both initiatives aim to bolster bilateral cooperation in high-tech sectors, including genomics and precision medicine.

Harjinder Kang, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner, Western India, welcomed the development.

"Oxford Nanopore's expanded presence in India and their collaboration with key national institutions reflects the shared commitment of both our countries to tackle global health challenges. These partnerships will significantly advance genomic science and public health resilience under the UK-India TSI framework."

A Growing Commitment to India's Genomics Ecosystem

Oxford Nanopore has been active in India's research ecosystem since 2017, with its sequencing technology already deployed in initiatives involving rare disease research, neurodegenerative disorder screening, and infectious disease tracking.

The company's platforms are also being tested for potential point-of-care applications, offering flexible and real-time data for clinicians and researchers alike.

Gordon Sanghera CBE, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, noted, "With Oxford Nanopore's technology already supporting a wide range of Indian research projects, these Centres of Excellence are a natural next step in our long-term commitment to the region. We are proud to partner with India's leading genomic institutions to accelerate innovation and capability building."

To reinforce this long-term commitment, Oxford Nanopore also announced plans to open a new office in Bengaluru later this year.

This expansion is set to further deepen collaborations with Indian clinicians, researchers, and public health agencies while facilitating closer access to local partners and talent.

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