Scientists at AGTC Genomics Developed a New Cancer-Type-Specific Targeted Genomic Tests Below RM1,000

Sep 7

4 min read

New Malaysian-developed NGS test aims to make precision oncology more affordable and accessible, enabling more patients to be matched to the right targeted treatment earlier

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 5 September 2026 — AGTC Genomics, a Malaysian precision medicine and genomics company, has launched OncoInsightDx™, a new generation of cancer-type-specific targeted genomic tests priced at below RM1,000, at the National Cancer Congress Malaysia (NCCM) 2026.

The launch represents an important milestone in Malaysia’s precision oncology landscape by addressing one of the major barriers to wider adoption of cancer genomic testing — affordability.

OncoInsightDx™ uses Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyse clinically actionable genomic alterations relevant to specific cancers and is designed to support oncologists in identifying potential targeted treatment options based on the molecular characteristics of an individual patient’s tumour.

Unlike broad comprehensive genomic profiling that interrogates hundreds of cancer-related genes, OncoInsightDx™ adopts a cancer-specific, clinically focused approach, concentrating on actionable biomarkers that are most relevant to treatment decisions for each cancer type.

The test is performed entirely in Malaysia at AGTC Genomics’ ISO 15189- and CAP-accredited clinical genomics laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, with a targeted turnaround time of 7–14 days.

Making precision oncology accessible to more Malaysians

Precision oncology has transformed cancer management by allowing treatments to be selected based not only on where a tumour originates, but also on the specific molecular alterations driving the cancer.

However, comprehensive genomic profiling can remain financially inaccessible to many patients, particularly where testing is paid out-of-pocket.

OncoInsightDx™ was developed to help bridge this gap.

“Cancer genomics should not be accessible only to patients who can afford several thousand ringgit for testing. If genomic information can help determine whether a patient is suitable for a targeted treatment, our goal should be to make that information available to as many patients as possible. With OncoInsightDx™, we challenged ourselves to develop a clinically meaningful NGS test for below RM1,000 without compromising the fundamental information required to guide targeted therapy. This is an important step towards making precision oncology part of routine cancer care in Malaysia.” said Professor Dr Chee-Onn Leong, Founder and CEO of AGTC Genomics.

OncoInsightDx™ panels are designed according to the genomic drivers and actionable biomarkers associated with specific cancer types. Depending on the cancer, testing can include clinically important DNA mutations, insertions and deletions, and gene fusions, with findings interpreted in the context of established clinical treatment guidelines.

The approach is intended to answer one of the most practical questions faced by oncologists:

Is there an actionable genomic alteration in this patient's tumour that could influence the choice of treatment?

A new tier in cancer genomic testing

AGTC Genomics emphasised that OncoInsightDx™ is not intended to replace comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP).

Instead, it creates a more affordable first-line genomic testing option for patients in whom the immediate clinical priority is identifying common and established actionable cancer drivers.

Where OncoInsightDx™ does not identify an actionable alteration — or where a more comprehensive molecular assessment is clinically required — patients can subsequently proceed to broader CGP covering hundreds of cancer-associated genes, additional genomic signatures and biomarkers such as tumour mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI).

This creates a tiered precision-oncology pathway:

Cancer-specific targeted NGS → actionable treatment decision → comprehensive genomic profiling when broader investigation is required.

Professor Leong added:

“The objective is not to test the greatest number of genes simply because the technology allows us to do so. The objective is to generate the right genomic information, at the right time, at a price that allows that information to reach significantly more patients.”

From a Malaysian laboratory to Malaysian cancer care

Another significant aspect of OncoInsightDx™ is that the entire testing workflow — from sample processing and sequencing to bioinformatics analysis, clinical interpretation and reporting — is performed locally at AGTC Genomics’ laboratory in Kuala Lumpur.

The laboratory operates under ISO 15189 accreditation for medical laboratories and College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation, providing Malaysia with advanced in-country capability for clinical genomic testing.

Local testing also allows AGTC Genomics to target a 7–14-day turnaround time, an important consideration in cancer management where prolonged diagnostic pathways can delay treatment decisions.

OncoInsightDx™ has also been developed with the Malaysian healthcare environment in mind, prioritising clinically actionable genomic alterations and treatment pathways that are relevant to local oncology practice.

“Malaysia already has the scientific expertise, sequencing capability, bioinformatics infrastructure and clinical laboratory standards required to perform advanced cancer genomics locally. The next challenge is translating those capabilities into solutions that are affordable enough to create meaningful population-level impact.” Professor Leong said.

Jointly convened by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and Sunway University, National Cancer Congress Malaysia (NCCM) has become an important national platform bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, patient advocates and healthcare industry leaders across the entire cancer continuum — from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and health policy.

The 2026 Congress carries the theme “Bridging Gaps, Building Hope, Empowering Lives”, a message closely aligned with the objective behind OncoInsightDx™: narrowing the gap between advances in precision oncology and patients’ ability to access them.

The Congress was also marked by the presence and advocacy of His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Sultan of Perak and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who has consistently championed equitable access to cancer prevention and early detection and serves as Royal Patron of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.

About OncoInsightDx™

OncoInsightDx™ is AGTC Genomics’ range of cancer-type-specific targeted NGS assays designed to identify clinically actionable genomic alterations associated with targeted cancer therapies. Testing is performed at AGTC Genomics’ ISO 15189- and CAP-accredited clinical genomics laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a targeted turnaround time of 7–14 days.

About AGTC Genomics

AGTC Genomics is a Malaysia-based clinical genomics and precision medicine company providing advanced molecular diagnostic solutions across oncology, inherited genetic conditions, infectious diseases, pharmacogenomics and precision health. Through its clinical genomics laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, AGTC Genomics aims to translate advanced genomic technologies into clinically meaningful and increasingly accessible healthcare solutions for Malaysia and the region.