11 April 2025 | Friday | Interview
As Asia accounts for nearly half of the world’s cancer burden, the push toward precision medicine is more critical than ever. In this conversation, Krishna Karnati, General Manager of Genomic Medicine (APAC) at Cytiva, explores how advances in genomics, multigene testing, and regulatory reforms are shaping the region’s future in oncology treatment. He highlights country-level initiatives, discusses Cytiva’s role in enabling next-generation therapeutics, and emphasizes the need for collaboration across government, academia, and industry to unlock the full potential of personalized healthcare in Asia.
How is precision medicine shaping the future of oncology treatments in Asia, and what unique challenges does the region face in its widespread adoption?
Globally, Oncology, immunology and neuroscience are still the top of the therapeutic areas in investment with unmet needs. Asia accounts for nearly half of global cancer cases, making it a major health concern. Its central importance is reflected in the number of new products reaching the market, the number of clinical trials targeting cancer and the higher M&A investment in oncology products than any other biopharma assets. Understanding the genetic underpinnings of cancer is vital for advancing precision oncology, which tailors treatments based on an individual’s genetic makeup. Beyond improving patient outcomes, genomic profiling has the potential to save healthcare systems billions by eliminating ineffective treatments, making healthcare more affordable and sustainable.
Many countries have therefore launched initiatives to explore and understand the genetic foundations of cancer, aiming to revolutionize how we treat this disease. Leading among them, Singapore has launched a 10-year national precision medicine research roadmap to accelerate biomedical research, improve health outcomes, and create economic opportunities across various sectors. Australia is also very active in driving the precision medicine movement. The Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program (AGCMP) focuses on improving health outcomes for patients with less common, high-mortality cancers, including ovarian, and pancreatic cancer, sarcomas and cancer metastasis. The government in South Korea had led a four-year K-MASTER project which created a comprehensive database of genomic data from 10,000 cancer patients. In Japan, the National Cancer Center Japan (NCC), Precision Medicine Asia (PREMIA), and Paradigm Health Inc. have launched the LC-SCRUM-CD (Lung Cancer Genome Screening Project for Individualized Medicine-Clinical Development). Meanwhile, in India, the GenomeIndia Project, aims to sequence 10,000 genomes from healthy individuals across the country. This initiative seeks to create a comprehensive genomic database to support personalized healthcare solutions.
As genomics and precision medicine advances open new avenues for personalized treatments to replace the conventional one-size-fits-all model. Paradigm shifts in disease treatment can change lives, if only people have access to them. One key aspect is multigene panel testing for cancer. Challenge persists in barriers related to test availability, comprehensive patient information, and affordability of the entire diagnostic and treatment process are obstacles to patient access. For example, while providing reimbursement for all patients is ideal, there is also a need to consider the sustainability of emerging technologies and the potential burden on the healthcare system as a whole.
What advancements in genomics and biomarker research are driving the development of more personalized therapies for cancer patients in Asia?
Advancements in genomics are revolutionizing personalized medicine, enabling tailored treatments and diagnostics by analyzing an individual's genetic makeup to predict disease risk, treatment response, and guide therapy selection. Advances in sequencing technologies, like next-generation sequencing (NGS), have made it possible to rapidly and cost-effectively analyze an individual's entire genome. Identifying specific molecular indicators (biomarkers) that can predict disease progression or response to treatment is crucial for personalized medicine. Molecular diagnostic assays are essential for personalized care, serving as the initial step in treatment planning. Many of these tests are based on biomarkers and genetic data derived from Western populations, creating a gap in addressing the unique genetics of the Asian population. Gencurix, a Korean company, has developed GenesWellBCT, Asia's first prognostic diagnostic test for breast cancer. Unlike most Western tests, which conduct clinical trials in Western countries, GenesWellBCT has been validated through multiple trials focused on Asian patients. This test is the first of its kind in Asia to receive national government approval, and Gencurix plans to expand into the Japanese market based on these positive results. Several other companies are also developing diagnostic tests specifically for the South Asian population.
How is the regulatory landscape evolving in Asia to support the integration of precision medicine into mainstream healthcare, and what gaps still need to be addressed?
Government and regulatory bodies in Asia are implementing policies, frameworks, and incentives to support the integration of precision medicine into mainstream healthcare.
In Singapore, the National Precision Medicine Program (NPMP) aims to sequence 100,000 Asian genomes by 2026 to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes. The program collects genomic, clinical, and lifestyle data, and enhances precision medicine-related industries by attracting international companies and creating local business opportunities. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has clear guidelines for regulating genetic tests, biomarkers, and companion diagnostics.
In Japan, the Cancer Genome Screening Project, funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), collects genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to tailor cancer treatments to patients' genetic profiles. Japan has ethical guidelines for using genetic information in cancer treatment, ensuring patient consent and privacy. The Personal Data Protection Law (APPI) requires strict security measures and clear consent for using genetic data. The government is working to integrate genomic testing and personalized treatments into the national healthcare system, but the reimbursement landscape is still evolving.
Let me elaborate on the gaps to address:
What role does Cytiva play in accelerating precision medicine adoption, particularly in terms of biomanufacturing, diagnostics, and drug discovery?
Nucleic acid therapeutics, those based upon RNA or DNA, continue to offer researchers exciting new avenues of treatment. Most mRNA therapies and other types of genetic medicines in clinical development are designed to be delivered with the help of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Drug developers face challenges such as scaling, outsourcing and licensing, as well as market issues such as undefined regulatory aspects and a lack of standardized processes. Cytiva support our customers with their deep expertise in traditional and advanced therapies, scalable platforms, and software and services across all aspects of the mRNA-LNP workflow.
Cytiva is working with customers working on cancer vaccines using NanoAssemblr microfluidic based nanoparticle manufacturing platform, enables the development of these potential medicines, while maintaining and potentially increasing stability, efficacy, yield, and quality of non-viral genetic medicines. Cytiva provides a wide range of modular and flexible solutions by closely working with customers as Innovating at the front end leads to standardization, improving processes, and broadening access in the long run.
Cytiva has played a crucial role in enhancing pandemic preparedness by collaborating with Dr. Michael Houghton, a Nobel Prize-winning virologist known for his co-discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. The company has focused on developing RNA vaccines using advanced self-amplifying RNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies. By leveraging their expertise in biomanufacturing, Cytiva has driven innovation and improved the technological capabilities necessary for rapid vaccine development. This partnership aims to strengthen Canada's response to future pandemics through cooperation and cutting-edge advancements in the biopharmaceutical industry. Cytiva’s oligosynthesis technology has been used in many approved oligo-based therapeutics to date, including Spinraza, approved for treating spinal muscular atrophy in 2016.
How are public-private partnerships influencing the growth of precision medicine in Asia, and what lessons can be learned from other global markets?
Countries across the Asia-Pacific region, continue to grow their biotech industry and are receiving extra government incentives to deliver medicines for local populations. In Korea, the government awarded 300 million USD in grants to bring innovative platforms and new vaccines to the country, and training to develop PhDs and technicians who can work in biomanufacturing.
A skilled workforce is vital for a thriving biomanufacturing industry. However, data from Cytiva’s 2023 Global Biopharma Resilience Index shows just 24% of biopharma executives are positive about having access to manufacturing talent capable of working in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environments in APAC.
Cytiva anchors a public-private partnership dedicated to driving the industrialization of cell and gene therapies by solving key technical challenges in their production. In partnership with the Canadian government, CCRM and Cytiva established the Centre for Advanced Therapeutic Cell Technologies (CATCT). CATCT supports contract service process development using a technology-agnostic approach. Testa Center is an initiative between Cytiva and the Swedish government. As a testbed for biological production, its aim is to secure the growth of the life science industry and its manufacturing capabilities.
Cytiva is collaborating on various research projects as well as contributing to fostering young talent in the region with leading universities including: the Guangzhou Bioprocess Academy in China, University of Tokyo and University of Osaka in Japan, Seoul National University and Yonsei University in Korea, University of Queensland and University of Adelaide in Australia, as well as the Bangalore Bio-innovation Centre in India.
Looking ahead, what key innovations or emerging technologies will be crucial for advancing precision medicine and improving patient outcomes in Asia over the next five years?
Key innovations and emerging technologies include advanced antibody-based therapeutic modalities (e.g. ADC, bispecific antibody) and genomic medicines. Genomic medicines are based on cause-effect understanding of disease pathways and offer transformative therapeutic potentials.
Precision medicines, in particular genomic medicines, therefore, stand to benefit Asian population based on Asian biology. From gene therapy, cell therapy (e.g. CAR T), to nucleic acid therapeutics, tremendous progresses in drug development, manufacturing, and clinical implementations, have been achieved in Asia. The number of clinical assets in this space increasing at a double digit growth which gives a clear indication of the needs of local drug development and manufacturing to accommodate regional needs where biology plays a big part.
The key challenge for wider adoption includes high manufacturing cost, inability to maximize manufacturing capacity, non-standardized processes and inadequate workforce. Next generation manufacturing technologies enabled by biology by leveraging stable cell lines ELEVECTA™ that help to drive the Adeno-Associated Virus manufacturing cost down. Furthermore, newer technologies such as in vivo gene delivery including gene editing is transforming the way the new therapies are being developed, manufactured and administered to the patient.
One key aspect of innovation is transforming the assets developed at the academic institutes through industrial collaboration to translate those discoveries into products. For this the government – academia – industry relationship should be stronger than ever by understanding needs and driving patient outcomes.
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References:
Access to genomic medicine illustrates precision medicine’s delicate future | Asia Research News
Taking the first steps towards advancing precision health in Asia | SGInnovate
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