Genetic testing has become the focus of
global medical progress. SOFIVA GENOMICS (6615) holds a leading position in
Taiwan, works with top international firms, and possesses core technologies as
well as comprehensive gene databases. For genetic testing
services, SOFIVA offers prenatal screening, neonatal screening, personalized
genetic testing, and cancer gene screening.
SOFIVA has also successfully expanded overseas. In January of 2019, SOFIVA established its
first overseas subsidiary in Bangkok, Thailand, and set up a genetic testing
laboratory to develop the local market.
The CEO of SOFIVA GENOMICS, Dr. Yi-Ning
Su, M.D./Ph.D. stated, “SOFIVA possesses key analysis technologies and
autonomous R&D power. At the same time, by collaborating with international
firms, we have developed the next generation of analysis systems. While many
companies send their specimens to countries outside of Taiwan for testing, SOFIVA has been able to transfer proprietary
technologies from Taiwan to other counties.” Previously, SOFIVA’s overseas strategy involved sending
specimens back to Taiwan. Now, SOFIVA is gradually establishing local
laboratories to develop local markets. Thailand is the first overseas base; the next step involves actively
expanding the Southeast Asian market.
SOFIVA’s General Manager, Dr.
Chia-Cheng Hong, Ph.D. said, “Our Bangkok subsidiary offers SOFIVA Non-Invasive
Prenatal Screening v1.0, v2.0, and v3.0 as well as SOFIVA Array v1.0, v2.0, and
v3.0 for the prenatal testing market. In Thailand, various genetic carrier
tests are also available, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) screening and
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) screening, performed in accordance with guidelines
developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and
the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). SOFIVA also provides a rapid screening
platform that can test for common genetic disorders such as Prader-Willi
Syndrome (PWS), Angelman Syndrome (AS), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and Hemophilia (HA).”
Providing liquid biopsy testing for cancer is one of the goals at SOFIVA
GENOMICS Bangkok Co., Ltd. In the future, such tests will be available in
Thailand, including SOFIVA Monitor+, SOFIVA Drug+, SOFIVA Monitor, SOFIVA
Cancer Screening, and SOFIVA Scan. With a small blood sample of 10-20 ml,
theses liquid biopsy tests can detect cancer up to 188 days earlier than
conventional methods such as imaging techniques, thereby helping the physician
better select the appropriate treatment. In
addition, non-cancer
patients are able to learn whether they have cancer-related genes.
General Manager Dr. Chia-Cheng Hong,
Ph.D. further noted that, “Bangkok occupies a central location in Southeast
Asia. From Bangkok, we can access the local market in Thailand and even
potential markets in Southeast Asia. For example, we can develop the market and
make exchanges with nearby Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia and hopefully
develop a large genetic testing market in the future.”