MGI (company) explained

MGI Tech
Native Name:深圳华大智造科技股份有限公司
Native Name Lang:zh-cn
Type:Public
Traded As:[1]
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Biotechnology
Num Employees:2,050[2]
Parent:MGI Tech
Subsid:Complete Genomics
Location City:Shenzhen
Location Country:China

MGI or MGI Tech is a Chinese biotechnology company,[3] which provides a line of products and technologies that serves the genetic sequencing, genotyping and gene expression, and proteomics markets. Its headquarters are located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

History

In 2016, MGI was founded as a subsidiary of BGI Group.[4] [5] It manufactures high-throughput genetic sequencing systems and other products for use in the life sciences and health care sectors.[6] [7] As of July 2022, the company's operation is divided into two primary business segments: genetic sequencers and laboratory automation systems.[8] [9]

MGI was a subsidiary of BGI Group before, it was spun out and listed on the Shanghai stock exchange in 2022.[10]

In May 2020, MGI raised $1 billion in series B funding from IDG Capital and CPE China Fund.[11] [12] In December 2020, the company submitted its IPO application to Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market.[13] [14] In September 2021, the company has won the approval for its IPO on Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market’s high-tech board.[15]

In 2024, MGI lost more than a third of its market capitalization after the US Congress introduced legislation to prohibit American health data being sent to China.[16]

Subsidiaries

Complete Genomics

In March 2013, Complete Genomics was acquired by BGI Group.[17] After the acquisition, Complete Genomics moved to San Jose, and in June 2018 became part of MGI.[18] [19] The acquisition was the one of the outcomes of $1.5 billion 'collaborative funds' i.e., '10 years loan' which was initially provided by China Development Bank to acquire all 128 of Illumina, Inc.'s newest and fastest next-generation sequencers including HiSeq 2000.[20]

Research and development

The company is known for manufacturing DNA sequencers based on low-cost DNA nanoball sequencing technologies which was refined further after the acquisition of Complete Genomics.[21] [22] The refinement included combinatorial probe anchor synthesis technologies which involves loading DNA nanoballs (DNBs) onto a patterned array chip using a fluidic system. Subsequently, a sequencing primer is added to the adaptor region of the DNBs in order to hybridize them.[23]

Criticism

On October 31, 2019, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Chuck Grassley, and Senator Marco Rubio wrote a joint letter to Alex Azar, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and Seema Verma, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) raised their concerns against MGI, regarding the circumstances under which the CMS may finance it to process American citizens' genomic or exome data.[24]

MGI asserted that it is “a supplier of instruments and consumables for customers to use in their own labs” and does not provide any genomic sequencing services. “MGI does not own, control, handle, or even access samples or genetic data, only MGI’s customers do. There is no risk that MGI will have access to any health records or genetic data from customers,” the company stated.[25]

Litigation

Patents infringement lawsuit

In November 2021, a federal jury in California concluded that MGI America (in its capacity as an affiliate of BGI Group) had infringed Illumina, Inc.'s patents. Accordingly, they awarded Illumina damages of $8 million.[26]

In March 2022, Illumina persuaded a U.S. District Judge to prolong the restriction on MGI America selling its CoolMPS sequencers in the United States for six months until August 2022, when Illumina's patent expires.[27]

“Two-channel” DNA sequencing lawsuit

Complete Genomics, a research subsidiary of MGI, filed a lawsuit in May 2019, alleging that Illumina's "two-channel" DNA sequencing chemistry violates two patents for the technology that deduces the identification of each nucleotide from two signals. The NovaSeq 6000, the NextSeq 500/550/550x, and 1000/2000 Series, as well as the MiniSeq, were all the focus of the lawsuit against Illumina. Additionally, it targeted Illumina's cluster generation & sequencing, and library preparation kits, all of which are interoperable with one or more platforms.[28]

In May 2022, A jury in Delaware concluded that Illumina's “two-channel” sequencing chemistry infringes on two patents owned by MGI Tech through its subsidiary Complete Genomics. As a result of this finding, the jury awarded $333.8 million in damages to the company. The jury also dismissed Illumina's assertions that the patents were invalid. The verdict also invalidated three of Illumina's patents that the firm had asserted in a countersuit claiming MGI Tech had infringed on Illumina's patents.[29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wall Street Journal Stock Quote: MGI Tech Co Ltd . 2024-04-16 . 2022-09-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912182405/https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/cn/xshg/688114 . live .
  2. Web site: Bloomberg company profile: MGI Tech Co Ltd . . 2024-04-16 . 2024-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416164003/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/688114:CH . live .
  3. Belova . Vera . Pavlova . Anna . Afasizhev . Robert . Moskalenko . Viktoriya . Korzhanova . Margarita . Krivoy . Andrey . Cheranev . Valery . Nikashin . Boris . Bulusheva . Irina . Rebrikov . Denis . Korostin . Dmitriy . 2022-01-12 . System analysis of the sequencing quality of human whole exome samples on BGI NGS platform . . en . 12 . 1 . 609 . 10.1038/s41598-021-04526-8 . 35022470 . 8755732 . 2022NatSR..12..609B . 2045-2322.
  4. Web site: Pennisi . Elizabeth . June 15, 2022 . A $100 genome? New DNA sequencers could be a 'game changer' for biology, medicine . July 14, 2022 . . en . July 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714043514/https://www.science.org/content/article/100-genome-new-dna-sequencers-could-be-game-changer-biology-medicine . live .
  5. Web site: Regalado . Antonio . 2020-02-26 . China's BGI says it can sequence a genome for just $100 . 2022-07-14 . . en . 2022-01-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128044444/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/02/26/905658/china-bgi-100-dollar-genome/ . live .
  6. Book: Pilch . Richard . Scientific Risk Assessment of Genetic Weapon Systems . Luster . Jill . Pomper . Miles . Shaw . Robert . . 2021 . . 41 . 2024-04-16 . 2024-03-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317073122/https://nonproliferation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/scientific_risk_assessment_genetic_weapon_systems06_cover.pdf . live .
  7. Web site: Yuting . Dun . 2020-06-26 . Chinese DNA sequencing company raises a record $1 billion . 2022-07-14 . . en-GB . 2022-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220605213120/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Startups/Chinese-DNA-sequencing-company-raises-a-record-1-billion . live .
  8. Web site: 华大智造(X20636)：基因测序 星辰大海之华大智造__新浪财经_新浪网 . 2022-07-14 . stock.finance.sina.com.cn . 2022-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220212132434/https://stock.finance.sina.com.cn/stock/go.php/vReport_Show/kind/search/rptid/694263131706/index.phtml . live .
  9. Web site: ICG-16 华大智造三大核心业务齐发力！全面赋能生命科学产业发展 – SEQ.CN . 2022-07-14 . www.seqchina.cn . 2022-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220212132520/https://www.seqchina.cn/14966.html . live .
  10. News: Smyth . Jamie . Sevastopulo . Demetri . 18 April 2023 . Chinese genetics company targets US despite political tensions . subscription . 2023-04-18 . . en . 2023-04-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418040329/https://www.ft.com/content/cc905012-f264-4e87-8171-8e7e243c5d51 . live .
  11. Web site: Yanfeng . Peng . Jia . Denise . Coronavirus Testing Equipment Maker MGI Tech Gets $1 Billion Funding - Caixin Global . 2022-07-14 . . en . 2022-07-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220704230627/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2020-05-29/coronavirus-testing-equipment-maker-mgi-tech-gets-1-billion-funding-101560398.html . live .
  12. Book: Micalo, Silvia . Healthtech Innovation: How Entrepreneurs Can Define and Build the Value of Their New Products . 2022-10-03 . . 978-1-000-73722-6 . en . 2022-09-06 . 2024-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416164003/https://books.google.com/books?id=rUyBEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22MGI+Tech%22+sequencing&pg=PT268#v=onepage&q=%22MGI%20Tech%22%20sequencing&f=false . live .
  13. Web site: Zhang . Huanjia . 2022-08-29 . MGI Tech Planning to go Public in $366M Chinese IPO . 2022-09-03 . . en . 2022-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220903141454/https://www.genomeweb.com/sequencing/mgi-tech-planning-go-public-366m-chinese-ipo . live .
  14. Web site: Law . Kenneth . Lin . Tony . September 2021 . 2021 China Life Sciences and Healthcare M&A Whitepaper . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130205928/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/cn/Documents/life-sciences-health-care/deloitte-cn-lshc-2021-china-lshc-ma-market-whitepaper-en-210927.pdf . 2022-09-03 . . 7–8 . 2022-11-30 . live .
  15. Web site: BGI's Gene Sequencer Spin-Off Approved for Shanghai IPO . 2024-04-16 . . en . 2023-12-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231216080120/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2021-09-03/bgis-gene-sequencer-spin-off-approved-for-shanghai-ipo-101768561.html . live .
  16. News: April 15, 2024 . America hits Chinese biotech—and its own drugmakers . subscription . 2024-04-16 . . 0013-0613 . 2024-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416005141/https://www.economist.com/business/2024/04/15/america-hits-chinese-biotech-and-its-own-drugmakers . live .
  17. Web site: 2012-09-17 . Complete Genomics, BGI Agree to $117.6M Merger . 2022-07-14 . . en . 2022-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205202521/https://www.genomeweb.com/clinical-sequencing/complete-genomics-bgi-agree-1176m-merger . live .
  18. News: Campbell . Matthew . Lyu . Dong . 2019-11-13 . China's Genetics Giant Wants to Tailor Medicine to Your DNA . en . . 2022-09-03 . 2022-04-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220417032459/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-11-13/chinese-genetics-giant-bgi-wants-to-tailor-medicine-to-your-dna . live .
  19. Web site: LeMieux . Julianna . PhD . 2019-01-11 . All Aboard the Genome Express . 2022-07-14 . GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News . en-US . 2022-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714063905/https://www.genengnews.com/insights/all-aboard-the-genome-express/ . live .
  20. Wang . Kai . Shen . Xiaobai . Williams . Robin . 2021-07-03 . Sequencing BGI: the evolution of expertise and research organisation in the world's leading gene sequencing facility . . 40 . 3 . 305–330 . 10.1080/14636778.2020.1843148 . 229445267 . 1463-6778 . 20.500.11820/fdccac07-cd53-42df-ac40-62842218dc76 . free . 2022-09-03 . 2024-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416163250/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14636778.2020.1843148 . live .
  21. Anslan . Sten . Mikryukov . Vladimir . Armolaitis . Kęstutis . Ankuda . Jelena . Lazdina . Dagnija . Makovskis . Kristaps . Vesterdal . Lars . Schmidt . Inger Kappel . Tedersoo . Leho . 2021-09-30 . Highly comparable metabarcoding results from MGI-Tech and Illumina sequencing platforms . . en . 9 . e12254 . 10.7717/peerj.12254 . 2167-8359 . 8491618 . 34703674 . free.
  22. Book: Kaspers . Bernd . Avian Immunology . Schat . Karel A. . Göbel . Thomas . Vervelde . Lonneke . 2021-12-05 . . 978-0-12-819071-5 . en . 2022-09-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416163209/https://books.google.com/books?id=5HENEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22MGI+Tech%22+sequencing&pg=PA289 . 2024-04-16 . live.
  23. Li . Zhuokun . Wang . Xiaojue . Xu . Dongyang . Zhang . Dengwei . Wang . Dan . Dai . Xuechen . Wang . Qi . Li . Zhou . Gu . Ying . Ouyang . Wenjie . Zhao . Shuchang . Huang . Baoqian . Gong . Jian . Zhao . Jing . Chen . Ao . 2020-07-31 . DNB-based on-chip motif finding: A high-throughput method to profile different types of protein-DNA interactions . . 6 . 31 . eabb3350 . 10.1126/sciadv.abb3350 . 2375-2548 . 7399529 . 32789179. 2020SciA....6.3350L .
  24. Web site: Grassley, Rubio Seek Answers on HHS Funded Genetic Testing Connected to China, Russia The United States Senate Committee on Finance . 2022-09-12 . www.finance.senate.gov . en . 2022-09-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912161434/https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/grassley-rubio-seek-answers-on-hhs-funded-genetic-testing-connected-to-china-russia . live .
  25. Web site: Huanjia . Zhang . MGI Tech Heads Full Steam Into US Market Despite Data Security Accusations, Image Problems . GenomeWeb . GenomeWeb . 19 December 2022.
  26. Web site: Albarazi . Hannah . Jury Says BGI Owes Illumina $8M For Infringing DNA Patents - Law360 . 2022-07-14 . . en . 2022-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714064217/https://www.law360.com/articles/1443178/jury-says-bgi-owes-illumina-8m-for-infringing-dna-patents . live .
  27. News: Brittain . Blake . 2022-03-29 . Illumina wins extended U.S. ban on BGI gene-sequencer sales . en . . 2022-07-14 . 2022-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714064216/https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/illumina-wins-extended-us-ban-bgi-gene-sequencer-sales-2022-03-28/ . live .
  28. Web site: Yasiejko . Christopher . 2022-05-09 . Illumina Owes BGI $333.8 Million Over Gene-Sequencer Patents (2) . 2022-07-14 . . en . 2022-05-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510040806/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/illumina-must-pay-bgi-333-8-million-over-gene-sequencer-patents . live .
  29. News: Brittain . Blake . 2022-05-07 . Illumina ordered to pay BGI subsidiary $333 million in DNA-sequencing patent case . en . . 2022-07-14 . 2022-05-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220511140644/https://www.reuters.com/technology/illumina-ordered-pay-chinese-company-333-million-gene-sequencing-patent-case-2022-05-06/ . live .

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