IVD China last week: Autobio Diagnostics, Illumina, Dian Diagnostics, BGI Genomics, Genegeo Diagnostics and Nihon Kohden

Autobio Diagnostics’ hs-cTnT Assay Recognized by IFCC as Global Performance Benchmark

Autobio Diagnostics recently announced that its high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay (magnetic particle chemiluminescence method) has been included in the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) High-Sensitivity Troponin Performance Reference Table (v012026). This recognition confirms that Autobio’s hs-cTnT analytical performance meets international advanced standards and places the product among the leading global offerings in this critical cardiac biomarker category.

Widely regarded as the global “gold standard” for evaluating high-sensitivity troponin assays, the IFCC reference table supports result comparability and mutual recognition across laboratories worldwide. The inclusion underscores Autobio’s continued progress in delivering integrated “instrument + reagent” solutions across central labs, emergency care, and primary settings, supporting early diagnosis, acute care, and long-term cardiovascular disease management.

Illumina Launches the Billion Cell Atlas to Power AI-Driven Drug Discovery

On January 13, 2026, Illumina announced the launch of the Illumina Billion Cell Atlas, the world’s largest genome-wide genetic perturbation dataset designed to accelerate AI-enabled drug discovery. Developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca, Merck & Co. (MSD), and Eli Lilly, the atlas captures how one billion individual cells across more than 200 disease-relevant cell lines respond to CRISPR-based genetic perturbations.

As the first milestone of Illumina’s long-term goal to build a five-billion-cell atlas, the dataset is expected to support target validation, large-scale AI model training, and deeper insights into complex disease biology. Powered by single-cell sequencing, cloud-based analytics, and Illumina’s newly established BioInsight division, the initiative marks a major step toward translating genomic data into scalable, AI-driven precision medicine solutions.

Dian Diagnostics Joins National Key Project Integrating Precision Oncology and Traditional Chinese Medicine

On January 10, China’s national major science and technology project targeting “four major chronic diseases” officially launched in Hangzhou, focusing on the biological basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes in colorectal cancer targeted therapy. The project aims to integrate precision oncology with TCM syndrome differentiation to better support clinical decision-making.

As a participating institution, Dian Diagnostics will leverage its strengths in multi-omics testing and big-data analytics to conduct metabolomics, modification-omics, and gut microbiome research. These efforts will contribute to the development of a TCM-oriented multi-omics database and multimodal efficacy prediction models for colorectal cancer patients receiving targeted therapies. The project brings together leading universities, research institutes, hospitals, and industry partners, marking a key step forward in advancing integrated Chinese and Western approaches to chronic disease prevention and treatment.

BGI Genomics and Swedish Research Partners Map the Tumor Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer

BGI Genomics, in collaboration with leading Swedish institutions including Uppsala University and Umeå University, has published a landmark study in Nature Communications revealing a detailed “tumor microbiome map” of colorectal cancer based on nearly 1,000 patient samples. The study introduces a novel Microbial Risk Score that predicts patient survival with accuracy surpassing several traditional clinical indicators.

By uncovering location-specific and subtype-dependent microbial patterns within tumors, the research highlights how host genetics and microbial ecosystems jointly shape cancer progression. The findings open new avenues for microbiome-informed prognosis, non-invasive risk stratification, and the identification of future therapeutic targets—signaling a growing role for microbiome data in precision oncology.

Genegeo Diagnostics and Nihon Kohden Sign Global Strategic Partnership

On January 14, 2026, emerging Chinese IVD company Genegeo Diagnostics Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. signed a global strategic cooperation agreement with Japanese medical device leader Nihon Kohden in Changzhou. The partnership focuses on technology collaboration and global market expansion for high-end hematology analyzers, marking a new milestone in the international recognition of Chinese IVD innovation.

Under the agreement, the two companies will deepen cooperation across exclusive regional distribution, technology licensing, and global service support. By combining Genegeo’s proprietary technologies—such as nucleic acid fluorescence flow cytometry—with Nihon Kohden’s global channels and operational expertise, the collaboration represents a new model for Chinese IVD companies to move from product export toward global solution delivery.