Prima Nexus Invited to the Launch of MyGenom, Malaysia's National Genome Programme
The Ministry of Health and MOSTI launched MyGenom at the National Institutes of Health in Setia Alam, to sequence Malaysian genomes and build the country's own genetic reference.
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SETIA ALAM, SELANGOR, 29 August 2024: Prima Nexus was invited by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to the launch of MyGenom, Malaysia's national genome programme, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The programme was launched by Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health.
A reference genome for Malaysia
MyGenom has three aims: to sequence the genomes of Malaysians, to produce a reference genome for Malaysia, and to describe the genetic variation of the Malaysian population. It is led by researchers of the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) of the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, under MOSTI, working with the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and the National Institutes of Health under the Ministry of Health.
The programme runs in phases. In July 2025 MOSTI reported that 3,150 people from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak had joined its first phase, recruited through blood donation centres, rural communities and blood donation drives, and that 1,080 genomes had been sequenced in Malaysia. The next phase aims for 10,000 genomes. The programme's own site is mygenom.gov.my.
Where Prima Nexus fits
Prima Nexus has followed MyGenom since its early planning. In October 2022 the company wrote to MOSTI and to MGVI offering its laboratory and research coordination expertise to the programme, and in August 2024 MOSTI invited the company to the launch, alongside other companies in Malaysia's genomics and biotechnology sector. Since then it has taken on genotyping work for Malaysia's public-sector researchers, including a project of around 3,000 DNA samples on Illumina's Asian Screening Array, run with its laboratory partner.
Its own Malaysian Reference Cohort serves the same need from a different direction. Built since 2019 and genotyped on genome-wide arrays, it publishes how common each marker is in Malaysia through the free Malaysian Cohort Browser, so researchers can cite a Malaysian figure today.
Why it matters
Most of the genetic references researchers cite were built mainly from people of European ancestry, and they can be wrong for Malaysians. A Malaysian reference genome supports disease prevention, medical innovation and health policy built on the country's own data, which is the purpose MOSTI gives for MyGenom. Prima Nexus will keep supporting Malaysia's genomics effort, from the laboratory to the data researchers use.
About Prima Nexus
Prima Nexus Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian research coordination group founded in 2014. It connects universities, research institutes and global technology partners, and brings together eight scientific platforms: proteomics (including ELISA and Luminex multiplex immunoassays), genomics, flow cytometry, stem cell research, animal research, clinical trials, bioinformatics, and regulatory and grant support. Programmes it coordinates have supported more than 150 papers in peer-reviewed journals and research teams at more than 40 institutions across Malaysia. More about Prima Nexus.
Media and partnership enquiries
Prima Nexus Sdn Bhd (201301025649), 28-1B, Jalan Puteri 1/2, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Email info@primanexus.com.my or WhatsApp 017-305 1076.
