By MTT News Bureau
Metropolis Healthcare has announced the establishment of a dedicated Centre of Genomics as part of its strategy to significantly enhance its offerings in genomic diagnostics, molecular testing, precision medicine, and advanced genomic research. The new centre is designed to deliver clinically meaningful genomic insights across a wide range of medical specialties and throughout different phases of patient care.
The initiative consolidates genomic capabilities that Metropolis has built over the years, particularly in precision oncology through its Global Reference Laboratory in Mumbai. These strengths were further augmented after the integration of Core Diagnostics’ genomics laboratory in the Delhi NCR region. Together, these facilities now operate as CAP-accredited national referral laboratories for genomics and form the backbone of the newly launched Centre of Genomics.
At the core of the Centre’s operations is an extensive portfolio of next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays, complemented by robust bioinformatics systems, interpretation protocols, and clinical expertise. To further strengthen its sequencing capacity, Metropolis has deployed Illumina’s NovaSeq X Series for research applications. Powered by Illumina’s XLEAP-SBS chemistry, the NovaSeq X platform is capable of generating over 20,000 whole genomes annually, offering substantially higher throughput than earlier Illumina systems.
Alongside the NovaSeq X Series, the Centre leverages a diverse, multi-platform NGS infrastructure already operational across Metropolis’ genomics hubs. The Centre integrates the expertise of molecular pathologists, genomic scientists, researchers, bioinformaticians, and certified genetic counsellors, ensuring that complex genomic data is effectively translated into actionable clinical insights.
Commenting on the development, Ms Ameera Shah, Promoter and Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare, said, “Genomics marks a decisive inflection point for diagnostics in India, expanding the role of laboratories from disease detection to risk prediction, therapy personalisation, and long-term disease management. As genomics increasingly informs lifelong medical decisions, leadership in this space is defined not by adoption alone, but by rigorous validation, deep expertise, quality assurance, and clinical responsibility. Through the Centre of Genomics, we bring together orthogonal, cross-platform technologies with advanced data analytics and AI-driven trend correlations. Supported by strong clinical stewardship from subject-matter experts, a multi-specialty Medical Advisory Board, and dedicated clinical support teams, this approach enables us to build one of India’s most comprehensive and clinically integrated genomic diagnostic platforms.”
Dr Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer, Metropolis Healthcare, highlighted the clinical focus of the initiative, stating, “The Centre of Genomics has been designed to translate advanced genomic science into actionable clinical decision-making across high-impact disease areas, including oncology, reproductive health, neurology, transplant immunology, and rare diseases. Our differentiation lies in rigorous validation, multi-platform testing, and deep clinical integration, ensuring results are reliable and clinically meaningful. With over 220 validated genomic tests and a clear roadmap to expand beyond 500 assays over the next two to three years, the Centre of Genomics is benchmarked against leading global genomic laboratories in terms of breadth, quality, and clinical integration, while remaining closely aligned to India-specific disease patterns and care pathways.”
Illumina also welcomed the collaboration. Suchita Dayanand, Country Head – India (Commercial), Illumina, said, “As Illumina expands its presence in India, our mission is to make advanced sequencing technologies more accessible across the country. The NovaSeq™ X Series demonstrates our leadership in next-generation sequencing, and we are proud to see Metropolis Healthcare leveraging our most sustainable high-throughput sequencer to drive transformative research and innovation.”
Beyond its current testing portfolio, the Centre of Genomics is envisioned as a long-term innovation platform focused on developing new assays, deploying AI-driven analytics, and enabling digital integration to enhance reporting, workflows, and clinical adoption. Through its international business-to-business operations, collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, and participation in clinical trials, Metropolis aims to position the Centre as a key partner in genomic research, companion diagnostics, and precision-oriented drug development.
(Image is for representational purpose only)