MGI Tech partners with Swiss Rockets to commercialize its CoolMPS sequencing technology globally, bringing scar-free, high-fidelity DNA reads to key markets like Europe and the US. This collaboration aims to accelerate precision medicine and scientific discovery, offering a new choice in advanced genomic solutions.
In a move poised to reshape the global landscape of genomic sequencing, China’s MGI Tech Co., Ltd. has forged an exclusive licensing agreement with Swiss Rockets AG, a biotech innovator based in Switzerland.
Announced on October 28, 2025, this strategic alliance marks a significant expansion for MGI’s proprietary CoolMPS sequencing technology.
It grants Swiss Rockets the exclusive reins for its research, development, manufacture, and commercialization across crucial markets outside the Asia-Pacific and Greater China regions, encompassing Europe and the United States.
This isn’t merely a business transaction; it’s a calculated maneuver by MGI to globalize a technology that promises to push the boundaries of precision medicine and scientific discovery.
At its core, CoolMPS is a testament to ingenious engineering.
It stands apart with its innovative antibody-based recognition chemistry, a breakthrough that effectively eliminates DNA “scarring” – a persistent and often problematic issue in conventional long-read sequencing methods.
Imagine trying to read a scroll where parts of the text are smudged or torn; DNA scarring presents a similar challenge to geneticists.
CoolMPS overcomes this by employing nucleotides with natural bases and extension blocks, coupled with meticulously labeled antibodies that are both base-specific and block-dependent.
Each nucleotide is linked with multiple fluorescent dye antibodies, ensuring a clean, accurate read.
Deployed on MGI’s robust DNBSEQ platforms, CoolMPS is capable of delivering sequencing reads reaching an impressive 600 to 700 bases.
This extended read length, combined with its high fidelity, unlocks a new realm of possibilities.
These possibilities range from comprehensive genome, transcriptome, and microbiome analyses to critical applications like early cancer detection and monitoring through whole genome sequencing-based assays.
For scientists, researchers, and the broader life science sector, this translates to longer, more accurate reads at potentially reduced costs.
This trifecta could accelerate discovery and democratize access to advanced genomic insights.
For MGI, a company dedicated to building core tools that drive innovation in life sciences since its founding in 2016, this partnership is a critical step.
It aims at “unlocking the patent value and productization capabilities of CoolMPS,” as articulated in their announcement.
This complements their established StandardMPS technology, reinforcing their leadership in a highly competitive field.
Dr. Rade Drmanac, Chief Scientific Officer of MGI, emphasized the broader implications, stating, “This partnership marks a pivotal step for MGI to maximize the impact of CoolMPS worldwide by joining forces with a like-minded innovator to commercialize and scale this groundbreaking sequencing technology for improving global health.”
He also underscored the renewed confidence this deal injects into MGI’s financial strength and technological leadership.
It promises the global life science community “another choice” in advanced sequencing solutions.
This phrase, “another choice,” speaks volumes in a market often perceived as dominated by a few established players, signaling MGI’s ambition to be a significant global contender.
Swiss Rockets AG, an incubator and accelerator with a sharp focus on biotech and precision healthcare startups, particularly in oncology, is an ideal partner for this ambitious undertaking.
Reinforced by an investment agreement with leading US public health company Emergent BioSolutions, Swiss Rockets is poised to leverage this exclusive license.
It plans to manufacture CoolMPS sequencers and consumables for the pivotal US and European markets.
Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO of Swiss Rockets, articulated the synergy, “CoolMPS complements our drug development pipelines and diagnostic platforms, reinforcing our capabilities to deliver precise, personalized solutions for patients and communities in need.”
The technology will also be instrumental in augmenting Swiss Rockets’ initiatives in personalized disease and aging prevention, driving optimal disease treatments aimed at precision longevity and medicine.
This represents a holistic approach to health that epitomizes the future of healthcare.
The implications of this transatlantic partnership extend far beyond the balance sheets of the two companies.
It signifies a tangible acceleration in the global push towards precision medicine.
By eliminating the ‘scarring’ that has long hampered long-read sequencing, CoolMPS promises to deliver a clearer, more complete picture of an individual’s genetic makeup.
This enables earlier and more accurate diagnoses, more targeted therapies, and a deeper understanding of complex diseases.
The collaboration between a Chinese technology giant and a Swiss biotech firm, with its sights set on Western markets, also highlights the increasingly interconnected and global nature of scientific innovation.
It transcends geographical boundaries in the pursuit of better health outcomes worldwide.
This is not just about a new sequencing method; it’s about empowering a new era of medical discovery and personalized care, one accurate, scar-free DNA read at a time.
