Natera, BGI Genomics Ink $50M deal to develop, launch liquid biopsy tests in China, elsewhere

Natera and BGI Genomics said that they have signed a $50 million partnership to commercialize Natera’s circulating tumor DNA Signatera minimal residual disease (MRD) test in China and to develop reproductive health tests in “select markets,” all using BGI’s sequencing technology and instruments.

Under the 10-year agreement, BGI Genomics will pay Natera $50 million, including upfront licensing fees, prepaid royalties, and future milestone payments. In addition, Natera will obtain ongoing royalty payments. Natera will prepay BGI Genomics $6 million for sequencing services.

Natera and BGI Genomics will first offer the Signatera test through specialty hospital networks in China. After gaining regulatory approval for the test on BGI’s sequencing technology platform, called DNBseq, the companies plan to offer Signatera more broadly in the country.

“Natera’s decision to launch its Signatera test into China on BGI’s DNBseq technology platform is a testament to both the quality and versatility of our technology,” said BGI Genomics CEO Yin Ye in a statement.

The firms did not say in which countries they plan to offer reproductive health tests, or what types of tests. Natera’s reproductive health testing portfolio currently includes carrier screening, noninvasive prenatal screening, single-gene NIPT, preimplantation genetic testing, and a miscarriage test.