YSDS and Ultima Genomics Partner for Sequencing 1 Million Genomes in Southeast Asia
The Yayasan Satriabudi Dharma Setia (YSDS) has officially formed a strategic partnership with Ultima Genomics, Inc., to revolutionise the healthcare landscape in Southeast Asia. This collaboration focuses on developing a roadmap for genomic sequencing through the utilisation of cutting-edge UG200 Series technology, with an ambitious target of sequencing up to one million genomes in the region.
This initiative has received positive appreciation from the Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin. According to him, the partnership represents a crucial momentum in accelerating the adoption of genomic technology to strengthen technology-based healthcare services in the country.
“With more affordable technology, the public can obtain more accurate diagnoses and more precise treatments,” stated Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Monday (6/4/2026).
The government hopes this collaboration can support the Ministry of Health’s vision of conducting whole genome sequencing for 200,000 Indonesians to build a national genomic reference and support precision medicine.
Hitherto, high costs have been the main obstacle in developing genomic research and services in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The introduction of Ultima Genomics’ UG200 Series technology is projected to significantly reduce costs, thereby enabling large-scale use.
In this partnership, Ultima Genomics serves as the provider of ultra-high-capacity sequencing technology. Meanwhile, YSDS acts as the local partner managing implementation in Indonesia through the IGNITE programme, encompassing the provision of laboratory infrastructure to collaborations with various hospitals.
YSDS Chairman, Dr. Vincentius Simeon Weo Budhyanto, emphasised that this collaboration ensures the Southeast Asian population is represented in global genomic databases. In addition to human health, the research will also cover the agriculture and biodiversity sectors.
“This is an important step so that Indonesia does not fall behind. We want to open more equitable access to precision medicine,” said Dr. Vincent. He also guaranteed that genomic data management will be carried out with high security standards. The data will be stored domestically (using the Rupiah as the currency in domestic operations), anonymised, and protected by encryption in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
Jay Therrien, Ph.D., Chief Commercial Officer of Ultima Genomics, added that the company’s mission is to democratise global access to genomic sequencing. “Partnering with YSDS allows us to bring this technology to regions that have previously been underserved due to access limitations,” he stated.
Initial implementation will begin through pilot projects and clinical validations focused on early cancer detection and non-communicable diseases. In the long term, the collaboration aims to build a biobank or Indonesian population genetic database.
As an early adopter of UG200 Series technology in Southeast Asia, YSDS targets achieving sequencing of more than one million genomes per year over the next 5 to 15 years. This is expected to reduce drug side effects and more effectively track the history of endemic diseases in Indonesia.