To address the rare disease burden in India, Bengaluru-based MedGenome is partnering with Twist Bioscience, a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology and genomics company based in the US., to establish the HOPE for Rare Diseases Programme in India.

Within the programme, discounted whole exome sequencing is provided to the patients from economically disadvantaged families (with necessary documentation) and is a time limited programme.

This collaboration coincides with MedGenome’s commemoration of a decade of pioneering genomics advancements in India. With this partnership, MedGenome reaffirms its commitment to democratize access to quality and affordable genetic solutions for all sections of society. MedGenome will continue to be guided by its vision to enhance healthcare affordability and accessibility and focus on its mission to leverage genomics to address the huge unmet need across emerging markets.

Twist Bioscience is deploying the Twist Exome 2.0 to support this mission. Designed to enable researchers to detect rare and inherited diseases, as well as germline cancers, supporting researchers and clinicians in their ability to collect quality data with less sequencing.

The partnership between MedGenome and Twist Bioscience is to bring this technology to economically disadvantaged people in the world, providing the genetic information they need to end their diagnostic odysseys and help clinicians pursue the management and treatment of the disease.

Although this technology has been available for over a decade, it has not gained significant traction due to its cost, limited awareness, and the lack of insurance coverage, as healthcare in India remains an out-of-pocket expense. The HOPE for Rare Diseases programme, established in August 2024 aims to address this issue and provide whole exome sequencing for impoverished rare disease patients.