Apollo Hospitals Expands Genomics Services to Tier-2 Cities

Apollo Hospitals Group is increasing its Genomics services to five additional locations, including Tier-2 cities such as Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Indore, to provide more access to genomic testing for the health needs of the country.

It currently operates in 12 cities with over 11,000 genomic consultations completed, including cancer, reproductive health, rare genetic disorders, and preventive care.

“Reaching more than 11,000 genomic consultations underscores the impact of integrating genetic insights into mainstream care. We are committed to making genomic testing accessible and integral to standard healthcare,” said Preetha Reddy, Vice-Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals.

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Apollo has more than 30 geneticists and genetic counsellors trained to advance genomics as a foundation of precision medicine in the country. One of the key objectives remains affordability. Whole genome sequencing is currently about ?60,000 today, with a prediction that it can go below ?20,000 in three years based on the improvement of testing technology, quicker results turnaround, and higher volumes of testing undertaken. This will likely open the door for personalized diagnostics enabling a greater number of patients to be cared for.

The genomics market in India is rapidly moving forward as the awareness of prevention in healthcare shaped the increasing interest. Other players are getting involved too: Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare, recently introduced the Comprehensive Genomic Profile (CGP) Rapid, reducing cancer gene profiling timelines from 30 days to four days. Dr Lal PathLabs has also expanded its new genomics section of the company through the purchase of Illumina’s NovaSeq X Series which offers faster, more precise information.

Apollo is also investing in education, planning to integrate genomics into its medical training programmes to help bridge India’s acute shortage of skilled geneticists.