On June 25, 2021, the winners of the 22nd China Patent Award were announced by the China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). MGI won the 22nd China Patent Awards, the top patent awards in China, for its invention patent of "Sample Pretreatment Equipment for Gene Sequencing System". (PatentNo.: ZL201420750277.1)

The China Patent Awards, jointly evaluated by the China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), are regarded as the highest awards in the patent field in China and the only governmental award in China that specifically rewards inventions and creations in granted patents. The evaluation is held once a year and the Awards have a wide international influence.

This patented technology can be used for automated nucleic acid extraction and automated sequencing library preparation to provide a one-stop platform for the needs of precision medicine, agriculture and healthcare. Meanwhile, it can also be applied to automated liquid handling in molecular diagnosis, proteomics, cell science, drug screening, and more.

Based on the patented technology, MGI has launched various laboratory automation systems, including automated sample preparation system MGISP-100 and high-throughput automated sample preparation system MGISP-960. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, MGI's laboratory automation systems have provided urgent assistance to the frontline of the global pandemic in China and internationally. It has contributed to more than one million sample processing capacity for cities, including Wuhan, Beijing, Qingdao, Hong Kong and Shijiazhuang.

With high flexibility, reliability, full automation and easy operation, MGISP-960, a high-throughput automated sample preparation system, plays a key role in the large-scale nucleic acid testing. MGISP-960 can process 192 samples in 80 minutes, and automatically complete the RT-PCR reaction system configuration. Compared with the manual sample handling, it can greatly improve the testing efficiency and avoid human errors at the same time. Meanwhile, MGISP-960 can be upgraded to 384-channel pipette to further increase the testing capacity, providing powerful instrumental support for the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the establishment, MGI has been leading the industry innovation and continually improving products and services. As of September 30, 2020, MGI has received 364 valid patents granted worldwide, including DNBSEQ™ sequencing technology, sequencer opto-electromechanical system technology, automated sample processing technology and remote ultrasound diagnosis technology. MGI is dedicated to innovation and places great importance to acquire scientific and technological talents through various channels to enhance the R&D capability. As of September 30, 2020, MGI's R&D personnel accounts for 34%, and more than 51% of the staff have master's degree or above.

As the world's leading innovator of life science technology and products, MGI continues to disrupt the status quo and push the limits of science and technology to lead the era of life.