Dante Labs' CEO Andrea Riposati Is Inspired to Bring Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients

Worldwide

Shanghai-based Dante Labs has teamed up with a global healthcare company, Qiagen, to make
genomic sequencing for patients available worldwide. This project is a part of the pioneering
Beijing Genomics BioInformatics Laboratory Consortium. In terms of technology, it might
sound like something new, but this is a different process. Instead of sequencing individual genes,
it looks at the entire genome, the sum of all our genetic material. That includes all 3 billion
nucleotides that make up an individual's DNA.

Why is this new? "Due to its high cost and complexity, genetic analysis has been performed on a
case-by-case basis by specialized laboratories," says Dante Labs' CEO, Andrea Riposati. "In
order for genomic analysis to be more widely available and accessible, we decided to take a
different approach. We are now sequencing the genome of every patient that comes to our lab,
while at the same time offering our patients a complete form of diagnosis." The new technique
looks at heredity, mutations, and gene sequencing. This allows doctors to see how a patient's
genetic material interacts with their environment, including drugs or diseases. The information
gathered can be used to identify possible risk factors for certain illnesses and act accordingly.
Dante Labs is combining DNA sequencing with artificial intelligence to streamline the process.

According to Andrea Riposati, combining genomics and artificial intelligence is transforming

healthcare. This partnership allows patients worldwide access to fast, affordable whole genome
sequencing. In a statement to the media, Riposati said: "Pioneering research has shown that DNA
plays a crucial role in our health, and that it is possible to use DNA sequencing as an early-
warning system for diseases." He explained that China's large population makes it an ideal place
for this type of research. More people means more data, which improves the accuracy of results.
This isn't the first time Dante Labs has partnered with a global healthcare firm. The Shanghai-
based company also worked with BGI to determine whether cancer drugs can be used effectively
in China. Thanks to this partnership, several new gene therapy treatments were developed for
China's patients.