Singapore’s rise to prominence as a global center for biomedical sciences is a carefully planned success story. The city and state has developed a strong ecosystem that includes innovative hospitals, excellent research centers like the Genome Institute of Singapore and a vibrant pipeline of biotech companies since a strategic national push was started in 2000. The study of an individual’s whole DNA and its functional equivalent, transcriptomics which examines RNA, are at the center of this ecosystem. While RNA sequencing shows how cells actively use the genetic code, DNA sequencing reads the genetic code. This information is crucial for understanding human health, medication responses and disease causes.
This developed ecology is seen in Singapore’s sequencing industry. Delivering integrated solutions that incorporate advanced analytics, clinical interpretation, and specialized applications like liquid biopsy and spatial transcriptomics is now more important than providing basic sequencing services. The businesses that have prospered are those that have transformed from service providers to crucial innovation partners, supporting everything from modern molecular diagnostics and treatment development to fundamental academic research. The following five businesses stand out as the reputable foundation of this environment, each making a distinct contribution to Singapore’s leadership in genomic science.
Top 5 Name of RNA and DNA Sequencing Companies in Singapore
- Illumina Singapore
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
- AITbiotech Pte Ltd
- Lucence Diagnostics
- Eurofins Genomics Singapore
A Closer look at each company
1. Illumina Singapore
Contact Address
- Illumina Singapore Pte. Ltd., 30 Pasir Panjang Road, #11-31/32 Mapletree Business City, Singapore 117440
- Website: https://sapac.illumina.com/
While Illumina is a global giant headquartered in San Diego, its Singapore subsidiary is far more than a sales office; it is a strategic commercial and support hub for the entire Asia-Pacific region. Since establishing its presence over a decade ago, Illumina Singapore has been instrumental in deploying the technology (NovaSeq, NextSeq, MiSeq systems) that powers the majority of sequencing projects in the country’s research institutes and hospitals.
Key Achievements & Role:
- Technology Enabler: Illumina’s sequencing instruments and consumables are the industry standard. Their local team provides critical pre-sales consultancy, technical support and training, ensuring researchers can maximize their platforms.
- APAC Headquarters: Singapore serves as a key logistics, commercial and technical support center for the region, underlining the city-state’s importance in the global genomics supply chain.
- Collaborative Initiatives: Illumina frequently partners with local entities like A*STAR, SingHealth and NTU on major genomics projects and initiatives, providing technology and expertise.
What Sets Them Apart:
Illumina is the architect of the modern sequencing landscape. Virtually every other company on this list uses Illumina platforms. Their Singapore operation ensures local scientists have direct access to the latest innovations, application support and global networks, making them an indispensable foundational layer of the ecosystem.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific
Contact Address
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, 25 Science Park Road, #02-02/03 The Zurich Building, Singapore 118064
- Website: https://www.thermofisher.com/in/en/home.html
Similar to Illumina, Thermo Fisher Scientific is a global life science tools leader with a deep-rooted, multi-decade presence in Singapore. Its Clinical Sequencing Division is particularly relevant, offering an integrated portfolio of sequencing solutions, most notably the Ion Torrent™ sequencing technology. This platform is widely used in clinical research and diagnostic development, especially for targeted gene panels.
Key Achievements & Services:
- Integrated Solution Provider: Thermo Fisher provides not just sequencers (Ion GeneStudio S5 series) but also the full workflow: sample prep instruments, reagents, bioinformatics software (Ion Reporter™) and ongoing application support.
- Focus on Clinical Translation: Their technology is designed with clinical labs in mind, emphasizing speed, ease-of-use and scalability for targeted sequencing, which is crucial for oncology and hereditary disease testing.
- Local Manufacturing & Support: With significant manufacturing and logistics operations in Singapore, they offer reliable supply chains and responsive local technical teams for researchers and diagnostic labs.
What Sets Them Apart:
Thermo Fisher Scientific is the champion of integrated, translational workflows. For labs—especially hospital-associated ones—looking to develop and validate their own targeted NGS panels for clinical research or diagnostic use, Thermo Fisher’s complete ecosystem (from sample to report) provides a streamlined, supported path forward.
3. AITbiotech Pte Ltd
Contact Address
- AITbiotech Pte Ltd, 20 Biopolis Way, #02-05 Centros, Singapore 138668
- Website: www.aitbiotech.com
Founded in 2006, AITbiotech is a premier, independent, homegrown sequencing service provider. It successfully capitalized on the growing demand for accessible and advanced genomic technologies, becoming a one-stop solution for the research community. The company is known for its customer-centric approach and technical versatility, bridging the gap between global platform providers and end-user researchers.
Key Achievements & Services:
- Broad Technology Platform: AITbiotech offers one of the widest technical portfolios among service providers, including Sanger sequencing, NGS (on Illumina and MGI platforms), long-read sequencing (PacBio), microarray and mass spectrometry-based genotyping.
- Bioinformatics Strength: They have invested significantly in a strong in-house bioinformatics team, offering customized data analysis pipelines—a critical value-add in the data-rich NGS era.
- Educational & Collaborative Role: AITbiotech has actively engaged in workshops and collaborations to upskill the local research community, promoting the adoption of new genomic technologies.
What Sets Them Apart:
AITbiotech is known for its quickness and comprehensive service model. They eliminate the capital and technical costs associated with running sequencers, allowing labs of all sizes to access advanced genomics. Their stance as a comprehensive, collaborative service provider has made them an indispensable partner for academia and industry throughout Southeast Asia.
4. Lucence Diagnostics
Contact Address
- Lucence Diagnostics, 18 Biopolis Way, #11-18/19/20 Synapse, Singapore 138593
- Website: www.lucence.com
Lucence, founded in 2016, represents the new wave of Singaporean genomics companies: clinical-grade, innovation-driven and globally ambitious. While younger than others on this list, its impact and established reputation in the clinical sequencing space are profound. Lucence is a leader in liquid biopsy, using NGS to detect cancer signatures from a simple blood draw and is a shining example of Singapore’s ability to create globally competitive diagnostic innovators.
Key Achievements & Services:
- Innovative Proprietary Technology: Lucence’s flagship is its AmpliMark™ NGS platform, optimized for the sensitive detection of cancer mutations and viral DNA from blood samples.
- CLIA-certified Diagnostic Lab: Their Singapore lab is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited, allowing them to offer regulated diagnostic tests like LiquidHALLMARK® for cancer management directly to physicians and patients.
- Global Commercial Reach: Born in Singapore, Lucence has successfully commercialized its tests across multiple countries in Asia and the US, showcasing the global potential of Singapore-developed diagnostic technology.
What Sets Them Apart:
Lucence is not a service provider but a diagnostic innovator and manufacturer. They have moved up the value chain from sequencing as a service to developing and delivering their own FDA-registered and CE-marked in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests. They exemplify the successful translation of sequencing technology into direct patient impact.
5. Eurofins Genomics Singapore
Contact Address
- Eurofins Genomics Singapore, 5 Science Park Drive, #03-01/03 The Capricorn, Singapore 118265
- Website: www.eurofinsgenomics.com
Eurofins Genomics Singapore is the local outpost of Eurofins Scientific, a global leader in bio-analytical testing. Established in Singapore for well over a decade, it leverages the immense scale, reliability and standardization of its parent company to serve as a high volume, efficient sequencing powerhouse for the local market, particularly for Sanger sequencing and oligo synthesis.
Key Achievements & Services:
- Unmatched Scale & Reliability: Eurofins is synonymous with high-throughput, cost-effective and extremely reliable DNA sequencing. They are the industrial-scale solution for projects requiring thousands of samples, such as genotyping or clone verification.
- Global Standardization: Processes are standardized with Eurofins’ global network, ensuring consistent quality and fast turnaround times, which is crucial for time-sensitive industrial R&D and large-scale academic projects.
- Extensive Online Platform: Their user-friendly online portal allows for easy sample submission, tracking and data retrieval, streamlining the workflow for busy labs.
What Sets Them Apart:
Eurofins is the industrial engine of routine sequencing. While others focus on NGS or specialized analysis, Eurofins excels at delivering vast amounts of high-quality primary sequence data predictably and affordably. For many labs, they are the default, seamless provider for foundational sequencing needs, forming the dependable backbone of daily research operations.
The genomic sequencing scene in Singapore is an intriguing multi-layered ecosystem that expertly brings together local clinical innovators, dynamic local service providers and global technological leaders. The necessary technological infrastructure and integrated workflows are supplied by businesses like Thermo Fisher Scientific and Illumina. The vital service partner that democratizes access to this technology for the larger scientific community is AITbiotech, Inc. By creating and exporting top notch diagnostic tests, Licensing represents the highest level of value generation. For massively routine sequencing, Eurofins provides a scalable and dependable backbone.
Singapore stays at the forefront of genomic science thanks to this cooperative ecology. It facilitates every step of the innovation process, from a researcher’s first hypothesis being evaluated on a worldwide platform to its ultimate translation into a recognized diagnostic test and validation through a local service provider. Singapore continues to draw biomedical talent, investment and groundbreaking innovations due in large part to the strength and diversity of those companies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main difference between DNA and RNA sequencing?
DNA sequencing reveals the static genetic code by precisely identifying the nucleotide bases (A, T, C, and G) in a DNA molecule. By analyzing the sequence and quantity of RNA molecules, RNA sequencing reveals which genes are actively expressed in a cell at a given moment and to what extent. RNA tells you what is happening, whereas DNA tells you what might happen.
2. Why is Singapore considered a hub for genomics?
Singapore’s standing is a result of early and consistent government funding through organizations like as A*STAR, which established the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) in 2000. This attracted international life scientists and produced a concentration of scientific expertise, advanced facilities and a clear national policy to foster biomedical sciences as a vital economic pillar.
3. Should I choose a global platform provider (Illumina/Thermo Fisher) or a local service company (AITbiotech)?
ice giants along with regional startups. The capabilities and objectives of your lab will determine this. Buying a platform from a multinational supplier might be less expensive if you are acquainted with bioinformatics and do frequent sequencing. A local service provider like AITbiotech delivers access and knowledge without requiring a significant upfront investment if you require flexibility, lack the funds for equipment or need professional analysis support.
4. What should I look for when selecting a sequencing service?
Some important things to think about include the technology and platforms they offer (like Illumina vs. PacBio), their support for data analysis and bioinformatics, how long it takes to get results, how much it costs per sample, their certifications (CLIA/CAP for clinical work), and their knowledge of your subject (like cancer, plants, or microbiology).
5. What are “NGS” and “liquid biopsy”?
Next-generation sequencing, or NGS, is a rapid technology that enables the simultaneous sequencing of millions of DNA fragments, making it possible to swiftly and cheaply analyze entire genomes or specific areas. Companies like Lucence specialize in liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive test that examines biomarkers in a blood sample. It is mostly used in oncology for cancer detection, monitoring and treatment selection.
6. Can these companies handle both research and clinical/diagnostic samples?
This is a key distinction. AITbiotech and Eurofins are typical service providers that handle research samples. Lucence runs a certified clinical diagnostic laboratory that performs regulated diagnostic tests for patients. Illumina and Thermo Fisher supply platforms and reagents, but the lab itself must be certified. To maintain regulatory compliance, always indicate the type of sample you are using.
