Genetic Alliance adds three labs to global genomics network

Genetic Alliance has added Children’s Mercy, SN Genelab and Xcelom to its global laboratory network, expanding no-cost whole genome sequencing for eligible families in 14 countries. The move increases access to rare-disease testing in the U.S., India and Hong Kong as the program passes nearly 4,000 underserved families served.

Why it matters: - Genetic Alliance is expanding access to clinical whole genome sequencing for children and families with suspected genetic conditions. - The new lab partners add capacity in the U.S., India and Hong Kong, extending the network into more regions. - The program has already delivered no-cost genomic testing to nearly 4,000 underserved families.

What happened: - Genetic Alliance announced that Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri; SN Genelab in Surat, India; and Xcelom in Hong Kong have joined its global genomics network. - The three laboratories will provide clinical whole genome sequencing using Pacific Biosciences HiFi long-read technology at no cost to eligible families. - Families are referred through Genetic Alliance’s network of 26 clinical sites across 14 countries. - The announcement came July 24, 2026.

The details: - The three laboratories were selected through a competitive application process. - Selection was based on clinical genomic testing quality, robust quality systems and a commitment to equitable access to genomic medicine. - Each laboratory met Genetic Alliance’s standards for clinical quality, technical capability and collaborative engagement. - Children’s Mercy brings pediatric genomic medicine and rare-disease diagnosis expertise to the network. - SN Genelab is Genetic Alliance’s first laboratory partner in India. - Xcelom is Genetic Alliance’s first laboratory partner in Hong Kong. - Xcelom, a subsidiary of Berry Genomics, operates a CAP-accredited facility and offers clinically validated long-read whole genome sequencing and long-read targeted assays. - SN Genelab says it has performed more than 1.5 million genetic tests and offers more than 650 genomic diagnostic tests. - SN Genelab’s platform includes PacBio Revio and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, Illumina NovaSeq X and NovaSeq 6000 systems, microarray platforms, AI-ML enabled karyotyping and in-house bioinformatics. - Genetic Alliance says the added labs will help more children with suspected rare genetic diseases receive testing regardless of where they live.

Between the lines: - The network is leaning on geographically distributed labs to reduce access gaps in rare-disease diagnosis. - Adding first-ever partners in India and Hong Kong suggests Genetic Alliance is pushing deeper into Asia-Pacific and South Asia. - The focus on long-read sequencing points to a strategy built around harder-to-detect genetic changes that can matter in rare disease workups. - Ryan Taft, Genetic Alliance’s chief scientific officer, said each added laboratory brings new expertise, technologies and opportunities for children who might otherwise never receive a genetic diagnosis.

What’s next: - Genetic Alliance will continue using its international network of clinical sites, laboratories, researchers and community organizations to expand equitable access to genomic testing. - The organization is also seeking donations to support the network through a linked fundraising page. - As the network grows, more referred families could gain access to no-cost testing and downstream care, support and research connections.

The bottom line: - Genetic Alliance is scaling a global rare-disease testing network by adding three more laboratories and widening access to long-read genomic sequencing for underserved families.