Hyderabad: Singaporean scientist Patrick Tan is leading a groundbreaking initiative to create Asia’s first genetic biobank, addressing a long-standing gap in medical research that has historically focused on European and American genomes.
As the executive director of the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Tan launched the project to map Asian genetic diversity, ensuring better healthcare tailored to the region’s unique genetic makeup. By 2027, his work will establish a precision medicine system that can fine-tune treatments and drug responses for Asians.
Tan was honored with the Genome Valley Excellence Award at BioAsia 2025, Asia’s premier biotechnology forum. His research has already resulted in the world’s largest sequencing analysis of multi-ethnic Asian populations. The biobank aims to revolutionize disease prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, benefiting not just Singapore but the entire continent.
India is also making strides in precision medicine with projects like ‘Genome India’ and ‘Phenome India.’ However, experts emphasize the need for a centralized system to integrate ongoing research and ensure secure, ethical data management.
With advancements in genetic research gaining momentum, Asia is poised to reshape global healthcare, making treatments more personalized and effective for its diverse population.
