Worldwide bio-data businesses are expanding rapidly. Accordingly, the convergent technologies center has aimed to make development in the field, taking supportive measure to grow and improve businesses in the field.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, a new generation of sequencing (NGS) is recognized as a set of technologies that can sequence is large volume of DNAs in a short time with a low cost. The value chain of NGS comprises three key components of data generation including devices, kits and consumables, databases and data analysis. Given the importance of the field, measures have been taken by the convergent technologies headquarter to pave the way for more advancement in the field.

A Call Was Announced

Announcing a call to support bio data businesses is the first measure taken by the center. Made in cooperation with the biotechnology development headquarter and center for development and cooperation, 20 companies announced their preparedness, eight of which were invited to virtual evaluation session. In the end, five projects were selected. Today, three groups have received support from the convergent technologies development headquarter and are expanding their product and business.

In addition, supporting the production and commercialization of the cell free DNA kit for the first time in the country is another step of the convergence center with the efforts of Rouge Technology Company and with the support of the center, this kit was produced and tested for quality assurance in a genetic laboratory.

Barriers to Business Expansion Were Reviewed

Studying the barriers to NGS business expansion in the country should be considered another centerpiece for the development of NGS in the country. After conducting expert meetings, discussions, and field studies, it became clear that one of the main obstacles to the formation of businesses in this field is the unauthorized withdrawal of samples abroad. Studies show that the only way to expand this market in the country is to prevent these samples from being released, and this requires regulatory policies and programs at the national level as well as technology and product development programs put together by the Center for Converging Technologies. The study of cell separation technologies and products is another area of convergent technologies in this area.