By MTT Team
Apollo Hospitals Group is scaling up its national genomics footprint by expanding its network of Genomics Institutes. Currently operating in 12 cities, the healthcare giant plans to extend services to five additional locations in the near future, including Tier-2 cities such as Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Indore. The expansion is aimed at improving access to genetic testing in underserved regions where both awareness and availability remain limited.
To date, Apollo has provided over 11,000 genomics consultations, spanning areas like oncology, reproductive health, rare genetic conditions, and preventative screening. Backed by a team of more than 30 certified geneticists and counsellors, the organisation is positioning genomics as a core component of personalised healthcare in India.
A central goal of the initiative is to drive down the cost of genomic services. Whole genome sequencing, which currently averages around ₹60,000, is projected to become significantly more affordable within the next three years. Apollo anticipates that advancements in testing technology, faster processing times, and increased testing volume could bring the price down to below ₹20,000—broadening access to precision diagnostics for a larger segment of the population.
Commenting on the group’s progress, Preetha Reddy, Vice-Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, stated, “Completing over 11,000 consultations highlights the growing importance of integrating genetic insights into routine healthcare. We remain committed to making genomic testing both accessible and impactful.”
India’s genetic diagnostics landscape is rapidly evolving, with growing interest from major players like MedGenome, Agilus Diagnostics, and Metropolis Healthcare. As public awareness around preventive healthcare increases and testing becomes more affordable, industry analysts anticipate significant growth in the adoption of genomic solutions over the next five years.
In recent developments, Agilus Diagnostics—part of Fortis Healthcare—introduced its CGP Rapid test, capable of analysing over 500 cancer-related genes within just four working days, a major improvement over the previous 30-day processing timeline.
Similarly, Dr Lal PathLabs has enhanced its genomics division, Genevolve, by integrating Illumina’s NovaSeq X Series, aiming to deliver faster and more precise genomic insights.
To support this growing sector, Apollo is also investing in human capital. The group plans to integrate genomics education into its medical training programmes to help address the ongoing shortage of qualified geneticists across the country.
(Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)