AGTC Genomics Launches State-of-the-Art Genomics and Epigenomics Solutions for Preventive and Longevity Medicine
Integrating genetic insights, biological ageing assessment and early disease detection to help people take control of their health before illness develops.
AGTC Genomics is expanding into preventive and longevity medicine through the development of an integrated approach combining state-of-the-art genomics, epigenomics and blood-based health assessments. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive multi-omics insights that help healthcare professionals personalise prevention, guide treatment and support healthier ageing.
By bringing together information about inherited predispositions, molecular changes associated with ageing and current physiological health, AGTC Genomics seeks to help individuals understand their health beyond the presence or absence of disease.
The approach supports a growing focus on healthspan—the years lived in good health, with independence and quality of life. It connects advanced laboratory insights with practical decisions about nutrition, physical activity, medication, screening and ongoing clinical care.
Prof. Chee-Onn Leong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AGTC Genomics:
“People should not have to wait until they become unwell to receive meaningful healthcare support. Genomics helps us understand inherited predispositions, while epigenomics and clinical biomarkers provide additional insights into how the body is ageing and functioning. Bringing these insights together can help healthcare teams develop more personalised plans, act earlier and support people in staying healthier for longer.”
Personalising nutrition through nutrigenomics and nutriepigenomics
Nutrigenomics examines how genetic differences influence the body’s response to nutrients and dietary patterns. Nutriepigenomics explores how nutrition relates to epigenetic processes, including chemical marks on DNA that help regulate gene activity.
Together, these fields offer complementary perspectives on nutrition and health. Genetic information can identify relevant inherited tendencies, while epigenetic findings may add context about biological processes associated with lifestyle and ageing.
For example, a person with an inherited predisposition to type 2 diabetes who also has rising blood glucose and excess abdominal fat may benefit from an individually tailored programme addressing dietary quality, portion sizes, physical activity and weight management. A dietitian can translate these findings into achievable food choices, while the healthcare team monitors glucose, lipids and other established clinical measures.
Epigenetic assessments may provide supplementary information over time, although using them to prescribe specific diets remains an emerging field. The aim is to combine molecular insights with nutritional assessment and measurable health outcomes.
Making medication decisions safer before treatment begins
Pre-emptive pharmacogenomics identifies genetic differences affecting medication response before a patient needs a particular drug. Having this information available can help clinicians select suitable medicines, assess adverse-reaction risks and individualise dosing alongside other clinical factors.
For example, identifying an HLA-B*58:01 risk variant before prescribing allopurinol can help clinicians avoid exposing a susceptible patient to a potentially severe skin reaction. For patients who require warfarin, information from genes such as CYP2C9 and VKORC1 can inform initial dosing, together with age, interacting medicines and other clinical factors; ongoing blood-clotting monitoring remains essential.
This approach can make genetic information a reusable resource across a person’s healthcare journey, supporting prescribing decisions when relevant medicines are considered.
Understanding biological age and the pace of ageing
Chronological age records the years since birth. Biological age estimates aspects of how the body is ageing using molecular or physiological measurements.
Epigenetic tests analyse DNA methylation patterns associated with ageing.
Complementary blood-based models use selected clinical biomarkers to estimate physiological ageing. These approaches measure different aspects of health and should be interpreted in context. Research has linked some epigenetic ageing measures with subsequent health outcomes.
For example, two people aged 50 may have different biological-age estimates. An estimate above chronological age may prompt a closer review of metabolic health, smoking, sleep, physical activity and other relevant factors.
Some validated epigenetic algorithms estimate the pace of ageing, rather than age itself. Follow-up assessments may help track patterns alongside established clinical measures. However, a biological-age result does not predict an individual’s lifespan, and a lower result alone does not establish that an intervention has extended life.
Moving major non-communicable diseases towards proactive care
AGTC Genomics’ preventive medicine direction brings molecular insights into a broader clinical framework that includes family history, examination, conventional laboratory testing and appropriate imaging. The opportunity differs by condition: some tests identify disease earlier, while others identify risks that can be addressed before disease develops.
Cancer: Hereditary cancer testing can identify people who may benefit from earlier or more intensive surveillance. Established screening can detect certain cancers or precancerous changes before symptoms develop. Multi-cancer early detection blood tests offer an additional emerging approach, but positive signals require diagnostic investigation, and their effect on cancer mortality remains under evaluation. They complement recommended screening programmes.
Diabetes: Detecting prediabetes through HbA1c or glucose testing creates an opportunity to intervene before type 2 diabetes develops. For example, a person with elevated glucose can begin a structured nutrition, exercise and weight-management programme, with medication considered where appropriate. Such interventions can prevent or delay progression in people at increased risk.
Heart failure: Identifying high-risk individuals or early cardiac abnormalities can prompt assessment before advanced symptoms occur. In selected patients, clinical evaluation, cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography can support earlier recognition and treatment planning, alongside management of hypertension, diabetes and other contributing conditions. Contemporary heart-failure guidance emphasises prevention, early recognition and timely intervention.
Dementia: Earlier assessment of cognitive changes can support diagnosis, care planning and treatment consideration. In appropriately selected patients with cognitive impairment, validated Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers can assist specialist evaluation. These tests support a clinical diagnostic pathway; they are not general screening tests for all healthy adults or all forms of dementia.
Stroke: Proactive care focuses on identifying and managing risks before a stroke occurs. Detecting uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal lipids or atrial fibrillation can trigger appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes. This shifts attention towards preventing a first event and preserving brain health.
Through this venture, AGTC Genomics aims to connect advanced testing with coordinated care from doctors, dietitians, genetics professionals, pharmacists and other healthcare specialists. Findings would inform individual care plans, with follow-up guided by clinical needs and the evidence supporting each assessment.
The company’s vision is to make preventive and longevity medicine more personal, actionable and grounded in measurable health outcomes—helping individuals understand their risks, make informed choices and receive support throughout their health journey.
About AGTC Genomics
AGTC Genomics is a Malaysia-based genomics solutions provider supporting clinical care and research through advanced sequencing, molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics. Its laboratory holds CAP accreditation and ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditations for its accredited testing scopes. The company’s capabilities span precision oncology, inherited conditions, reproductive health, infectious diseases and personalised preventive health.
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