Construction Begins on Asia's Largest 'Global Genome Center' in Incheon Songdo... Macrogen to Complete Next Year

The largest genome analysis research facility in Asia will be established in Songdo International City, Incheon.

On the 24th, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Global Genome Center' of the global genome analysis company Macrogen was held at the advanced industry cluster in Songdo 5 District, Yeonsu-gu.

The center is scheduled to be constructed by the second half of next year, with a total floor area of 18,000㎡, consisting of 2 basement floors and 8 above-ground floors. The Macrogen Genome Center currently located in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, will also be relocated here for integrated operation. The Global Genome Center will serve as Asia's largest genome big data hub, accelerating the digital transformation of healthcare by combining big data and artificial intelligence (AI).

Aerial view of Macrogen Global Genome Center [Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

Founded in 1997, Macrogen is a genome analysis specialist company ranked first domestically and fifth globally in the next-generation sequencing field. It provides services to over 18,000 clients in 153 countries, with overseas sales accounting for 50% of its revenue. It holds the number one market share in both South Korea and Japan.

Additionally, Macrogen has been conducting a gene testing demonstration project in Songdo International City as the 'Regulatory Special Case No. 1' company under the Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox system implemented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy since 2019. The regulatory sandbox is a personal genome analysis test demonstration study that allows 2,000 residents of Songdo to directly request gene testing from private companies without going through medical institutions.

An official from the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority stated, "The establishment of the Global Genome Center will diversify the industrial structure of the Songdo bio cluster, which has mainly focused on the production of biopharmaceuticals by large corporations," and added, "We will spare no administrative support until the center is fully operational."