The First Summit Forum of Nucleic Acid Detection Industry Chain and the 9th Symposium on PCR and Molecular Diagnostics were held online from 22 December to 24 December. The symposium was hosted by the Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics (Xiamen University), co-organized by the In Vitro Diagnostic Branch of China Medical Device Industry Association, and supported by the DXY BIOMART exclusive live broadcast platform.
During the three-day symposium, the attention of more than 30 leading experts in the industry, and executives of leading enterprises and famous clinical experts was drawn on the entire molecular diagnostics industry chain. By focusing on the five hot topics including innovation in core materials and components, sample pretreatment methods, the rise of digital PCR, automatic nucleic acid detection tools, and the clinical application of multiplex PCR, they discussed the current situation, outlook, challenges and opportunities of the molecular diagnostics industry.
Face Innovation Problems in Core Materials and Components Directly
Substitution of biomedical technologies and products with domestic ones has always been a hot topic, and industry shortcomings exposed by the pandemic told us once again that it is urgent to step up our independent innovation efforts.
In the "Upstream Innovation-Key Raw Materials and Core Devices" section, Zhu Yaoyi, chairman of the In Vitro Diagnostic Branch of China Association for Medical Devices Industry, first summarized the development of the molecular diagnostic industry at home and abroad, and pointed out that we need to step up out innovation efforts in the industry and develop the industry in a centralized manner.
Afterwards, Ma Fuqiang, Head of Molecular Diagnostic Enzyme R&D Department of Wuhan Hzymes Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Ai Feng, Product Manager of Fapon Biotech Inc., Li Jun, General Manager of Shanghai Bioligo Biotech Co., Ltd., Wang Danni, Deputy Chief Engineer of Beijing Hamamatsu Photon Techniques INC., and Wang Peng, Head of Marketing of Chroma shared their comments on how core components such as enzymic preparations, freeze-dried reagents, probes and primers, photoelectric detection devices, and PCR filters can facilitate the innovation and development of molecular diagnostic products. Zhang Yichuan, deputy director of the Jiangsu Institute of Medical Device Testing reported on the impact of human factors engineering on the usability and safety of molecular diagnostic products.
Breakthroughs in Sample Pretreatment
In the "close interdependence - Continuously Innovating Sample Pretreatment" section, Zhang Huisheng, professor of Shenzhen University and vice chairman of Key Raw Materials and Key Components Committee of China Association for Medical Devices Industry, analyzed key procedures and technologies of rapid high-throughput nucleic acid extraction. Professor He Zhike from College of Chemistry and Molecular Science, Wuhan University systematically summarized the current new methods and technologies for nucleic acid extraction and nucleic acid detection.
Subsequently, Tian Zhen, Director of Applied Technology of Institute of Technology of Xi'an Tianlong Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Xia Fangying, Senior Application Scientist of Waters Technologies Shanghai Limited., Ren Hui, General Manager of Suzhou Beaver Biomedical Engineering Co., Ltd. and Song Najie, Vice President of R&D of Xiamen Zeesan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. respectively described the application of self-developed products in Covid-19, showcasing the progress and breakthroughs of domestic and foreign companies in related subareas.
Extraordinary Digital PCR
Although digital PCR technology has only come into being for less than 30 years, it is quite appealing in the field of precision medicine due to its advantages such as high sensitivity and absolute quantification.
In the section of “Technology of A New Generation — Rapid Rise of Digital PCR Technology", Liu Yi, Associate Researcher, Department of Oncology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, introduced the application of digital PCR technology in the treatment of EGFR Mutated Lung Cancer and the limitations of existing ddPCR technology.
Yang Wenjun, Vice President of Operations of Beijing Xinyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xu Yifan, the Market Development Manager of Qiagen Greater China, Zhu Liuwei, Senior Product Manager of Pilot Gene Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., Luo Jingyan, R&D Director of Guangdong Yongnuo Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Cao Xinwei of Deputy General Manager of Suzhou Rainsure Scientific Co., ltd, and Song Ruyuan, R&D Director of ThunderBio Innovation Limited summed up the clinical and scientific application of their self-developed products in Covid-19, severe infections, hereditary hearing loss, solid tumors, and blood diseases, respectively.
One Hundred Flowers Blooming in the Field of Automatic Nucleic Acid Detection
In responding to the pandemic, Li Keqiang, a member of the standing committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Premier of the State Council, twice emphasized at meetings in May this year that it is imperative to promote the production of rapid nucleic acid detection products that require a shorter detection time and do not need the intervention of laboratories.
In the section of “One Hundred Flowers Blooming - The All-in-One Era of Automatic Nucleic Acid Detection'’, Tang Yiwei, Chief Chinese Medical Officer of Cepheid/Danaher Diagnostic Platform, Zhang Xuli, Deputy Product Manager of Roche Life Science, Zhang Yinlei, Product Manager of BioFire, Cai Lei, General Manager of Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd., You Qimin, the founder and chief scientist of Ustar Biotechnologies (Hangzhou) Ltd., and Zhan Wei, Deputy General Manager of Xiamen Zeesan Biotech Co., Ltd. revealed the current booming development trend of all-in-One products of fully-automated nucleic acid detection, by sharing the design concepts and core advantages of related products.
The Promising Multiplex PCR
In the section of “Clinical Application—Application of Multiplex PCR in Clinical Molecular Diagnosis", Kang Xixiong, the professor and chief physician of the Laboratory Diagnosis Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, believed that in the midst of the tide of Internet and global internationalization, Intelligent Point-of-Care Testing (iPOCT) will be the inevitable trend of molecular POCT in the future. Although a later starter in the field, China has seen rapid growth in iPOCT and therefore is expected surpass famous international brand.
Subsequently, Yi Jie, Assistant Researcher of Peking Union Hospital, Lin Yani of Medical Director of Tianjin Sino-US Diagnostics Medical Diagnostic Center, reported the progress of detection of fusion genes for acute leukemia and multiple nucleic acid detection of respiratory pathogens, separately.
Wang Junguo, senior product manager of Thermo Fisher, shared the characteristics of Thermo Fisher's multiplex PCR detection technology and its clinical application. Xu Ye, associate professor of the School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, reported on the application of multi-target detection technology in the molecular diagnosis of tuberculosis. Huang Qiuying, Special Associate Researcher of School of Life Sciences of Xiamen University, introduced the use of multicolor melting curve analysis for the combined detection of hyperphenylalaninemia gene mutations. Zheng Changxuan, head of the clinical department of Tongze Hexin (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., interpreted the report on China's first large-scale multi-center clinical trial of an innovative product for early cancer screening.
Conclusion
It can be said that the molecular diagnostic industry is in the middle of a golden period in terms of its development. In the midst of Covid-19, the huge demand for testing has prompted structural changes in the position of the molecular diagnostics sector in the in vitro diagnostic industry. In addition, the introduction of a number of policies has further stimulated the enthusiasm of enterprises for research and development.
With the further improvement in the innovation capabilities of domestic enterprises and the rise of precision medicine, molecular diagnostic technologies and products will applied for a wider range of purposes in the future. In the future, DXY will cooperative with more pioneers, experts and scholars in the field of molecular diagnostics, so as to bring more high-quality content and therefore contribute to the rapid and sound development of the molecular diagnostic industry.
During the three-day symposium, the attention of more than 30 leading experts in the industry, and executives of leading enterprises and famous clinical experts was drawn on the entire molecular diagnostics industry chain. By focusing on the five hot topics including innovation in core materials and components, sample pretreatment methods, the rise of digital PCR, automatic nucleic acid detection tools, and the clinical application of multiplex PCR, they discussed the current situation, outlook, challenges and opportunities of the molecular diagnostics industry.
Face Innovation Problems in Core Materials and Components Directly
Substitution of biomedical technologies and products with domestic ones has always been a hot topic, and industry shortcomings exposed by the pandemic told us once again that it is urgent to step up our independent innovation efforts.
In the "Upstream Innovation-Key Raw Materials and Core Devices" section, Zhu Yaoyi, chairman of the In Vitro Diagnostic Branch of China Association for Medical Devices Industry, first summarized the development of the molecular diagnostic industry at home and abroad, and pointed out that we need to step up out innovation efforts in the industry and develop the industry in a centralized manner.
Afterwards, Ma Fuqiang, Head of Molecular Diagnostic Enzyme R&D Department of Wuhan Hzymes Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Ai Feng, Product Manager of Fapon Biotech Inc., Li Jun, General Manager of Shanghai Bioligo Biotech Co., Ltd., Wang Danni, Deputy Chief Engineer of Beijing Hamamatsu Photon Techniques INC., and Wang Peng, Head of Marketing of Chroma shared their comments on how core components such as enzymic preparations, freeze-dried reagents, probes and primers, photoelectric detection devices, and PCR filters can facilitate the innovation and development of molecular diagnostic products. Zhang Yichuan, deputy director of the Jiangsu Institute of Medical Device Testing reported on the impact of human factors engineering on the usability and safety of molecular diagnostic products.
Breakthroughs in Sample Pretreatment
In the "close interdependence - Continuously Innovating Sample Pretreatment" section, Zhang Huisheng, professor of Shenzhen University and vice chairman of Key Raw Materials and Key Components Committee of China Association for Medical Devices Industry, analyzed key procedures and technologies of rapid high-throughput nucleic acid extraction. Professor He Zhike from College of Chemistry and Molecular Science, Wuhan University systematically summarized the current new methods and technologies for nucleic acid extraction and nucleic acid detection.
Subsequently, Tian Zhen, Director of Applied Technology of Institute of Technology of Xi'an Tianlong Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Xia Fangying, Senior Application Scientist of Waters Technologies Shanghai Limited., Ren Hui, General Manager of Suzhou Beaver Biomedical Engineering Co., Ltd. and Song Najie, Vice President of R&D of Xiamen Zeesan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. respectively described the application of self-developed products in Covid-19, showcasing the progress and breakthroughs of domestic and foreign companies in related subareas.
Extraordinary Digital PCR
Although digital PCR technology has only come into being for less than 30 years, it is quite appealing in the field of precision medicine due to its advantages such as high sensitivity and absolute quantification.
In the section of “Technology of A New Generation — Rapid Rise of Digital PCR Technology", Liu Yi, Associate Researcher, Department of Oncology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, introduced the application of digital PCR technology in the treatment of EGFR Mutated Lung Cancer and the limitations of existing ddPCR technology.
Yang Wenjun, Vice President of Operations of Beijing Xinyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xu Yifan, the Market Development Manager of Qiagen Greater China, Zhu Liuwei, Senior Product Manager of Pilot Gene Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., Luo Jingyan, R&D Director of Guangdong Yongnuo Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Cao Xinwei of Deputy General Manager of Suzhou Rainsure Scientific Co., ltd, and Song Ruyuan, R&D Director of ThunderBio Innovation Limited summed up the clinical and scientific application of their self-developed products in Covid-19, severe infections, hereditary hearing loss, solid tumors, and blood diseases, respectively.
One Hundred Flowers Blooming in the Field of Automatic Nucleic Acid Detection
In responding to the pandemic, Li Keqiang, a member of the standing committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Premier of the State Council, twice emphasized at meetings in May this year that it is imperative to promote the production of rapid nucleic acid detection products that require a shorter detection time and do not need the intervention of laboratories.
In the section of “One Hundred Flowers Blooming - The All-in-One Era of Automatic Nucleic Acid Detection'’, Tang Yiwei, Chief Chinese Medical Officer of Cepheid/Danaher Diagnostic Platform, Zhang Xuli, Deputy Product Manager of Roche Life Science, Zhang Yinlei, Product Manager of BioFire, Cai Lei, General Manager of Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd., You Qimin, the founder and chief scientist of Ustar Biotechnologies (Hangzhou) Ltd., and Zhan Wei, Deputy General Manager of Xiamen Zeesan Biotech Co., Ltd. revealed the current booming development trend of all-in-One products of fully-automated nucleic acid detection, by sharing the design concepts and core advantages of related products.
The Promising Multiplex PCR
In the section of “Clinical Application—Application of Multiplex PCR in Clinical Molecular Diagnosis", Kang Xixiong, the professor and chief physician of the Laboratory Diagnosis Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, believed that in the midst of the tide of Internet and global internationalization, Intelligent Point-of-Care Testing (iPOCT) will be the inevitable trend of molecular POCT in the future. Although a later starter in the field, China has seen rapid growth in iPOCT and therefore is expected surpass famous international brand.
Subsequently, Yi Jie, Assistant Researcher of Peking Union Hospital, Lin Yani of Medical Director of Tianjin Sino-US Diagnostics Medical Diagnostic Center, reported the progress of detection of fusion genes for acute leukemia and multiple nucleic acid detection of respiratory pathogens, separately.
Wang Junguo, senior product manager of Thermo Fisher, shared the characteristics of Thermo Fisher's multiplex PCR detection technology and its clinical application. Xu Ye, associate professor of the School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, reported on the application of multi-target detection technology in the molecular diagnosis of tuberculosis. Huang Qiuying, Special Associate Researcher of School of Life Sciences of Xiamen University, introduced the use of multicolor melting curve analysis for the combined detection of hyperphenylalaninemia gene mutations. Zheng Changxuan, head of the clinical department of Tongze Hexin (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., interpreted the report on China's first large-scale multi-center clinical trial of an innovative product for early cancer screening.
Conclusion
It can be said that the molecular diagnostic industry is in the middle of a golden period in terms of its development. In the midst of Covid-19, the huge demand for testing has prompted structural changes in the position of the molecular diagnostics sector in the in vitro diagnostic industry. In addition, the introduction of a number of policies has further stimulated the enthusiasm of enterprises for research and development.
With the further improvement in the innovation capabilities of domestic enterprises and the rise of precision medicine, molecular diagnostic technologies and products will applied for a wider range of purposes in the future. In the future, DXY will cooperative with more pioneers, experts and scholars in the field of molecular diagnostics, so as to bring more high-quality content and therefore contribute to the rapid and sound development of the molecular diagnostic industry.