Precision Health Research Singapore (PRECISE) is named the first GA4GH Regional Hub Institution

29 Sep 2026

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) is reinforcing its commitment to global engagement by establishing Regional Hub Institutions. At the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting, GA4GH signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) to designate PRECISE as the first Regional Hub, leading GA4GH engagement efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) announce PRECISE’s new role as the first Regional Hub Institution (RHI) of GA4GH. Through this collaborative relationship, PRECISE will serve as a local focal point to drive GA4GH engagement within the Asia-Pacific region.

On the opening day of the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting (29 September 2026), Peter Goodhand, President of GA4GH Inc., and Professor Patrick Tan, Executive Director of PRECISE, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a formal collaboration among the two organisations to enhance engagement, participation, and visibility of GA4GH within Asia Pacific.

GA4GH is committed to advancing its global engagement to ensure that its standards are fit for purpose across a wide array of local, regional, and cultural contexts. The newly established Regional Hub model aims to strengthen GA4GH’s global reach through a tailored, region-specific approach to engagement, capacity building, and standards implementation support.

“PRECISE and Singapore have been active partners in the GA4GH community for many years, setting global genomics standards, and contributing to international collaboration for example, through supporting cross-border research,” said Professor Patrick Tan, Executive Director, PRECISE and Board Member, GA4GH Inc. “Singapore’s appointment as GA4GH’s first Asian Regional Hub Institution is a natural progression of this partnership and recognises Singapore’s growing influence as an international hub in genomics and precision medicine.”

The goal of a Regional Hub Institution is to promote awareness and adoption of GA4GH technical standards and policy frameworks within its region. PRECISE will be the exclusive Regional Hub Institution in the Asia-Pacific region for two years following the signing of the MoU. 

The MoU outlines several goals with this new strategic relationship.

• Designating Singapore as GA4GH’s Regional Hub for Asia-Pacific: PRECISE will be designated GA4GH’s Regional Hub Institution (RHI) for the Asia-Pacific region, serving as the focal point for coordinated GA4GH engagement across Asia.
• Deepening Regional Engagement: PRECISE will leverage its position as GA4GH RHI to foster region-specific connections, build local capacity, and raise awareness of GA4GH’s standards and policy frameworks across Asia — strengthening the region’s voice and participation within the global genomics community.
• Promulgating GA4GH’s Open Standards: PRECISE will promote the awareness and adoption of GA4GH’s technical standards and policy frameworks, including advancing GA4GH standards towards International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) recognition.

For the duration of the RHI relationship, any significant event, engagement activity, or partnership within Asia Pacific will be coordinated jointly between GA4GH and PRECISE. PRECISE will provide strategic guidance, manage regional relationships, and ensure alignment with local priorities to ensure effective engagement across the region.

“Convening in Asia as a full community is long overdue and presents a huge opportunity for GA4GH, said Peter Goodhand, President, GA4GH Inc. “The region’s pace of development and discovery has become central to the future of genomics. As GA4GH’s Regional Hub Institution for Asia Pacific, PRECISE will convene and connect the region, strengthening GA4GH’s engagement with the global genomics community.”

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The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) is an international, not-for-profit alliance formed in 2013 to accelerate the potential of research and medicine for the advancement of human health. GA4GH develops technical standards and frames policies to expand the responsible use of genomic data within a human rights Framework. Bringing together individuals across 600+ organisations in healthcare, research, patient advocacy, life science, and information technology, GA4GH builds the foundation for broad and responsible use of genomic data. Learn more at ga4gh.org.

Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) is the national central entity coordinating Singapore’s multi-phase National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme. Established to drive a whole-of-Singapore effort, PRECISE works with research, clinical, and industry partners to generate insights into Asian genomics and translate these into better health outcomes and economic opportunities.

PRECISE is a programme of the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS). NPM Phase II is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) under the RIE2020 White Space (MOH-000588 and MOH-001264) and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. NPM Phase III is supported by the Singapore MOH through the NMRC Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd under the NMRC RIE2025 NPM Phase III Funding Initiative (MOH-001734).