Genomics breakthrough paves way for equitable cancer care in Africa

Yemaachi Biotech, a pioneering genomics research firm based in Ghana, in collaboration with Illumina, a global leader in sequencing technology, has announced the arrival of the NovaSeq X Plus in Ghana – a first-of-its-kind high-throughput sequencer.

This is aimed at accelerating cancer research and addressing inequities in cancer care among African populations.

The NovaSeq X Plus, the most powerful sequencer yet developed by Illumina, is expected to significantly enhance research into cancer diagnostics and treatment tailored to African genomes.

This development marks a major milestone in the continent’s efforts to promote equitable access to precision medicine.

In a press release issued to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra,  the two institutions explained that globally, cancer diagnosis and treatment were increasingly moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to one based on individual genetic profiles.

This shift, often referred to as precision medicine, recognises that each person’s cancer is as unique as a fingerprint and has revolutionised how the disease is detected and treated.

The release underlined that despite this evolution in cancer care, the underlying genetic research had historically focused on individuals of European ancestry.

This imbalance has left individuals of African descent underrepresented in global cancer databases, contributing to disparities in diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

To help close this gap, Yemaachi earlier this year launched the African Cancer Atlas (TACA), an initiative aimed at building the world’s most comprehensive cancer genomic database focused on African populations.

The newly installed NovaSeq X Plus will provide the sequencing scale and capacity required to make this vision a reality.

“The NovaSeq X Plus can generate more than double the number of genomes of previous sequencers,” said Ms Bridget Mogale, Illumina’s Country Manager for Africa. “It delivers unprecedented speed, scale, and accuracy and pushes the boundaries of what is possible in genetic sequencing.

“With this, Yemaachi is well-positioned to accelerate its goals and ultimately help transform the lives of cancer patients.”

According to the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Observatory, cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, with the number of new cases rising rapidly each year.

Mr Akwasi Asabere, Vice President for Partnerships at Yemaachi, said the growing focus of the pharmaceutical industry on more targeted treatments had made inclusive genomic data more critical than ever.

“The African population is the most genetically diverse in the world and has the potential to revolutionise drug discovery,” he stated.  “Our aim is to create the world’s most diverse cancer bio-database to inform the development of next-generation cancer treatments that are effective across all populations.”

Ms Mogale reiterated Illumina’s commitment to equity in global health. “At Illumina, we believe in the power of genomics to improve lives. We are pleased to support Yemaachi’s efforts to better understand cancers in people of African descent. “This partnership aligns with our broader commitment to expanding diversity in genomics and addressing the gaps in current datasets.”

Established in 2020, Yemaachi Biotech is at the forefront of advancing precision medicine through African genomics.

The company applies cutting-edge immunogenomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of effective cancer detection and treatment strategies across all ethnicities.

With headquarters in Accra and offices in Washington, DC and Nairobi, Yemaachi is building sustainable research and community partnerships to reduce the cancer burden across Africa.

Illumina is a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, committed to improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome.

Its innovations serve research, clinical, and applied markets in oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and more.

The release urged the public to visit this website for further information.

Source: GNA

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