Ukrainian genetic testing laboratory GeneCode Diagnostics has invested more than $500,000 in expanding its in-house capacity through the acquisition of advanced DNA testing equipment. The funds were used to purchase two next-generation sequencing systems — the Illumina NextSeq 1000 and the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 — enabling the company to significantly increase genetic testing volumes in Ukraine and reduce turnaround times.
According to the company, the new equipment will be used for a broad range of genetic tests, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Following the upgrade, the capacity of the Illumina NextSeq 1000 increased from 48 to 288 samples per run, while the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 can now process up to 188 samples per operating cycle, compared with 96 previously.
The company noted that approximately 4% of pregnant women in Ukraine currently undergo NIPT, compared with coverage rates ranging from 30% to 100% across European Union countries. Against the backdrop of growing interest in genetic diagnostics, GeneCode Diagnostics expects demand for non-invasive prenatal testing to at least double over the next six months.
According to Oleksandr Vlasyshen, CEO and co-founder of the company, investment in proprietary laboratory infrastructure eliminates the need to send samples abroad, enables full control over the entire testing cycle, and allows the company to respond more quickly to growing demand. The new equipment also reduces testing turnaround times to three to seven days, compared with approximately three weeks when samples are processed abroad.
GeneCode Diagnostics was founded in 2023 by Oleksandr Vlasyshen and Professor Dmytro Mykytenko, Doctor of Medical Sciences. The company specialises in genetic testing, including non-invasive prenatal testing, oncogenetics, medical genetic diagnostics, and kinship testing. All tests are conducted in Ukraine, while the company provides biological sample collection services throughout the country.
