CMC signs MoU to set up Centralised Next-Generation Sequencing facility

The Christian Medical College (CMC) and Chennai based Anderson Diagnostics Services Ltd. (ADSL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Centralised Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) facility in Vellore.

According to a press release, the agreement was signed by Biju George, Director, CMC, and Srinivasaraman, director, ADSL, in the presence of I. Rajesh, Medical Superintendent, who will oversee the operations of the facility, which will be fully operational within four months.

The strategic academic and clinical partnership aims to consolidate institutional economic workflows into a unified framework, eliminating fragmented departmental efforts. Operating under a hybrid partnered model, ADSL will invest in genomic equipment and specialised operational staffing.

The CMC will house the facility, provide vital infrastructure, and retain full clinical oversight and standard operating procedure (SOP) governance. The CMC retains 100% data sovereignty and intellectual property rights. The partnership is structured to yield immediate genomic capacity and will serve multiple domains, including Germline, Somatic, and Pathogen testing, ensuring faster turnaround times for critical clinical diagnostics.

Beyond clinical diagnostics, the partnership emphasises capacity building and research. The facility will also provide training for CMC staff and students in bioinformatics and wet-lab operations, driving CMC toward its goal of becoming a National Center of Excellence in precision medicine, the release said.