HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC launched in Kuala Lumpur to unite 10 nations on rare disease care
Synopsis
Ten Asia-Pacific nations — including India, China, and Malaysia — have formally united under a new genomics alliance to tackle rare disease diagnosis, signing a joint declaration in Kuala Lumpur. Backed by BGI Group and powered by AI-driven genetic technology, HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC is the region's most ambitious rare disease collaboration yet, targeting the diagnostic gaps that leave millions without answers.
Key Takeaways
The HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC alliance was launched in Kuala Lumpur on 11 May 2025 , co-initiated by BGI Group and regional partners.
10 countries are founding members: Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Pakistan.
Members signed the Joint Declaration of the HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC Initiative , committing to shared rare disease care standards.
The alliance targets gaps in diagnostic capacity , access to precision medicine , and fragmented data-sharing across the Asia-Pacific.
Experts highlighted artificial intelligence and genetic technology as key drivers of future rare disease healthcare transformation.
The Human Genome Project II Rare Disease Alliance of the Asia-Pacific Region (HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC) was officially launched in Kuala Lumpur on 11 May 2025, bringing together clinical experts, genomics researchers, and public health representatives from 10 Asia-Pacific countries to advance coordinated rare disease diagnosis and care across the region.
What the Alliance Covers
The initiative was co-initiated by China's BGI Group and regional partners spanning Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Pakistan. Its core mandate is to strengthen collaboration in rare disease diagnosis, genomics research, capacity building, and public health response. The alliance also aims to close persistent gaps in diagnostic access, uneven availability of precision medicine, and fragmented experience-sharing standards across the Asia-Pacific.
During the launch event, alliance members formally signed the Joint Declaration of the HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC Initiative, reaffirming a shared commitment to equitable rare disease care across the region.
What Officials and Experts Said
Nor Fariza Binti Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) at the Malaysian Ministry of Health, underscored the critical importance of stronger regional cooperation on rare diseases across the Asia-Pacific.
Zilfalil Bin Alwi, Professor of Medical Genetics and Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Geneticist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, noted that the diversity and inclusiveness of the alliance reflect the significance of the initiative.
Hou Yong, General Manager of BGI Genomics — a subsidiary of BGI Group — said the alliance would help advance standardisation, intelligent transformation, and equitable accessibility of rare disease diagnosis and treatment across the region.
Thong Meow Keong, Professor at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Visiting Consultant Clinical Geneticist at University Malaya Medical Centre, highlighted that the Asia-Pacific region is actively advancing the Human Genome Project II, with a focus on rare disease diagnosis, genetic technology, and precision public health.
Why This Initiative Matters
Rare diseases collectively affect millions of people worldwide, yet diagnostic capacity remains severely limited in many parts of Asia-Pacific. The region's vast genetic diversity — combined with fragmented healthcare infrastructure — has historically made it difficult to build shared standards or pool research findings. This is the first multi-country rare disease genomics alliance of this scale in the region.
Notably, the integration of artificial intelligence and genetic technology is expected to drive transformation in how healthcare systems identify and manage rare diseases. Experts at the launch expressed optimism that AI-assisted genomic tools could dramatically reduce the diagnostic odyssey — often lasting years — that rare disease patients endure.
Road Ahead
The alliance's next steps include developing standardised diagnostic protocols, expanding genomics capacity in member countries, and establishing shared data frameworks. With the Joint Declaration now signed, member nations are expected to begin coordinated pilot programmes in the coming months, with India and Malaysia likely to serve as early implementation hubs given their existing genomics infrastructure.
Point of View
A Chinese genomics giant, co-anchoring a pan-Asian alliance that includes India. At a time when data sovereignty and genomic data-sharing raise legitimate security concerns, the absence of any discussion around data governance frameworks is a notable gap. The alliance's ambition to standardise rare disease diagnosis is laudable, but without binding protocols on how genetic data flows across borders, the initiative risks becoming a declaration of intent rather than a durable infrastructure. India's participation is worth watching closely — its own genomics programme is maturing, and how it navigates data-sharing with BGI-linked structures will be a test of policy coherence.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC alliance?
HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC stands for the Human Genome Project II Rare Disease Alliance of the Asia-Pacific Region, launched on 11 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. It is a multi-country initiative co-led by China's BGI Group and regional partners to strengthen rare disease diagnosis, genomics research, and equitable access to precision medicine across 10 Asia-Pacific nations.
Which countries are part of the HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC alliance?
The 10 founding member countries are Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Pakistan. The alliance brings together clinical experts, genomics researchers, and public health officials from across the Asia-Pacific region.
What does the alliance aim to achieve?
The alliance aims to close gaps in rare disease diagnostic capacity, improve equitable access to precision medicine, and establish shared standards for genomics research and data-sharing. It also focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and genetic technology to reduce the diagnostic delays faced by rare disease patients.
What is the Joint Declaration signed at the launch?
The Joint Declaration of the HGP2 RaDiAnce-APAC Initiative is a formal commitment signed by all member nations at the Kuala Lumpur launch event, reaffirming their shared goal of advancing regional collaboration in rare disease care, research, and public health response.
What role does BGI Group play in the alliance?
BGI Group, a major Chinese genomics company, co-initiated the alliance alongside regional partners. Its subsidiary BGI Genomics is expected to support the standardisation and intelligent transformation of rare disease diagnosis and treatment across the Asia-Pacific region.
