On September 9, 2024, Hangzhou BGI Sequential Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "BGI"), a subsidiary of Shenzhen BGI Genomics Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "BGI Group"), released the latest sequencing technology - CycloneSEQ sequencing technology to the world, and two new nanopore sequencers with independent property rights CycloneSEQ-WY01 (hereinafter referred to as "WY01", Chinese name) Wuyue") and CycloneSEQ-WT02 (hereinafter referred to as "WT02", Chinese name "Wutong").

"From the excitation light sequencer to the emissive sequencer, and then to the non-luminous sequencer announced today, three types of machines, three different principles, different sequencing methods are combined together, and we are the only one in the world." Wang Jian, co-founder and chairman of Huada Group, said in his speech at the press conference.

Life science "lithography machine".

A gene sequencer, also known as a DNA sequencer, is an instrument for determining the base sequence, type and quantification of DNA fragments.

"What is a 'lithography machine' in the life sciences? Without a doubt, it's the gene sequencer. Yin Ye, CEO and executive director of Huada Group, said at the press conference that the progress of science comes from the promotion of new technologies, new discoveries and new ideas, that is, new technologies bring new tools, and new tools bring new discoveries. In the life sciences, there is sequencers first, and genomics comes later.

"Today, we are ushering in the convergence of IT (information technology) and BT (biocomputing). At the intersection of the Internet, genomics, and artificial intelligence, sequencers are becoming more and more important, because with the help of algorithmic models, we can read reports faster and easier. Yin Ye said.

Xu Xun, president of BGI Life Science Research Institute and executive director of BGI Group, said that BGI Group was a user of sequencers in the early days and did not have the ability to independently develop sequencers. However, after encountering a series of "stuck neck" behaviors, I realized that scientific and technological academics cannot be bought by money alone, and must rely on their own research and development, so they began to develop their own sequencers in 2012.

In 2015, the first self-developed high-throughput gene sequencer independently developed by BGI Group was born. Since then, through the introduction, digestion and absorption, and re-innovation, it has continuously enriched its sequencer products and continued to carry out scientific and technological innovation.

According to BGI, the two products "Wuyue" and "Wutong" released on September 9 have achieved breakthroughs in core technologies and key components, especially in key indicators such as the number of pore proteins on a single chip, sequencing speed, sequencing read length and accuracy.

Among them, the "Wuyue" series of high-throughput nanopore sequencers, equipped with high-throughput and high-density chips, have the performance of ultra-long read and long-lasting continuous testing, filling the gap of high-throughput chips in the field of nanopore sequencing in China, and a number of key properties are at the world's leading level; "Wutong" is a medium-throughput nanopore gene sequencer, which adopts a dual-chip architecture and has the three advantages of "full coverage, fast reading and free detection", and has a wide range of application scenarios in the field of life sciences.

The reporter noted that nanopore sequencing, as a cutting-edge technology in life science, has recently attracted the attention of many listed companies. For example, Wanfu Biotech (300482. SZ) said in its 2024 interim report that it will "promote the application of nanopore sequencing in the field of pathogen detection and identification of new platform business"; Jinhe Biotech (002688. SZ) also said at the results briefing on August 29 that the nanopore single-molecule sequencing platform "can improve the efficiency of genetic testing and provide precise solutions".

From the release of the first self-developed high-throughput gene sequencer in 2015 to the birth of the first BGI nanopore gene sequencer on September 9, it means that BGI Group has successfully owned sequencers with three technical routes: self-luminescence, excitation and non-luminescence. In this regard, Yin Ye said: "Sequencing is never divided into generations, but the technical route is different. What can solve problems is good technology. ”

MGI has benefited

MGI(688114. SH) is a core member of the BGI family and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the launch of the new nanopore sequencer.

MGI's semi-annual report shows that it has signed a distribution agreement with BGI as early as June this year, and has successfully obtained the global market distribution rights for nanopore sequencer equipment and reagent consumables and other related products, realizing an all-round strategic layout of excitation, self-luminescence and non-luminescence gene sequencing products.

"The biggest advantage of MGI is that after obtaining the global distribution rights of BGI, we can combine sequencers with all different technical routes accordingly, giving downstream users a one-stop choice, which is conducive to expanding the market." Jiang Hui, chief operating officer of MGI, said in the on-site exchange session of the press conference that as early as June, after obtaining the global distribution rights, it has been promoting external use, including early test use, and has installed 50 or 60 units of users, and four instruments and equipment have won the bid through public bidding.

"Among these customers, there are not only universities, scientific research institutions, but also representatives of disease control and hospitals, such as the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Fourth Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources." Jiang Hui believes that the above-mentioned customer groups actually represent the potential user direction of future sequencer products, including "Wutong" and "Wuyue".

Jiang Hui also said that the combination of sequencer products with different technical routes ultimately achieves the effect of "1+1>2", because different directions of use require different data combinations to achieve the optimal effect.