The activity is a collaborative effort that will enhance Indonesia's Data Registry and Health Record, facilitating the analysis of large-scale genomic data and is conducted in cooperation with the National Biomedical and Genomic Health Center (BB Binomika), a management unit (UPT) under the Health Ministry.

“We hope the collaboration can improve Indonesia's healthcare system through the utilization of genomic data,” Asa Ren founder and chief executive officer Aloysius Liang said in a statement on Monday.

“Asa Ren has actively supported the development of Indonesia’s healthcare industry since 2021, and we believe in the potential of clinico-genomic datasets as a foundation to support preventive research and provide real-world solutions to advance precision medicine.”

On Nov. 21, Asa Ren signed a collaboration agreement with the center’s National Biomedical Genome Science Institute (BGSi) to develop a structured dataset system under the Biomedical Genome-Based Science Initiative for Precision Medicines.

The BGSi is one of the center’s four departments and six laboratories.

The dataset will be used as a benchmark for the general population recruitment program when collecting phenotype data, including demographic, clinical and environmental variables, to advance precision medicine and enhance the application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology.

The agreement was signed by Aloysius and BGSi acting director Indri Rooslamiati as a significant improvement from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023.

Asa Ren is collaborating with BB Binomika to transfer knowledge and expertise while jointly conducting a comparative study to determine phenotype variables for the dataset registry.

Standardized variables will be essential for creating comprehensive baseline datasets representing the Indonesian population through a national sample recruitment program.

The project is expected to be completed by early 2025.

“We are proud to partner with BB Binomika to create the standardized data variable system that will be implemented for the National Genome Program, supporting the advancement of the genomics program in Indonesia,” Aloysius said in a statement on Nov. 21.

“Through our participation, we aim to set the foundation for clinical and genomic data in the country. This collaboration will enable the development of innovative solutions for preventive healthcare and improve the overall health and well-being of the Indonesian population making a big stride forward for population genomics.”