What BGI Americas does

BGI Americas Corporation is the US regional entity of BGI (Beijing Genomics Institute), one of the world's largest genomics organizations, operating from Cambridge, Massachusetts to serve the USA and Canada markets. The company provides fee-for-service genomics sequencing and bioinformatics analysis across a comprehensive multi-omics portfolio including DNA sequencing (whole genome, exome, target region, de novo), RNA-Seq and transcriptomics, epigenomics (bisulfite sequencing, ChIP-Seq, RRBS), metagenomics, proteomics, and single-cell sequencing. Core technology leverages Illumina HiSeq, Ion Proton, and Complete Genomics sequencing platforms, supported by proprietary bioinformatics software (SOAP - Short Oligonucleotide Alignment Program) and the BGI Online cloud computing platform offering 5 open genomics pipelines and 30+ tools with HIPAA and EU Data Protection Directive compliance.

The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales to academic research institutions, pharmaceutical companies (including Merck Research Laboratories), and healthcare providers such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia under joint genome center arrangements. Per-sample unit pricing (e.g., $499-$599 for exome sequencing at 100X) is enabled by the parent organization's non-profit structure, which channels proceeds into further research rather than maximizing margin. BGI Americas maintains additional US operational nodes at Philadelphia (BGI@CHOP) and Sacramento (BGI@UC Davis), and benefits from parent organization infrastructure including 157 TFlops of computing, 12.6 PB storage, capacity to sequence 30,000 human genomes annually, over 1,000 bioinformaticians, and CAP, ISO 9001, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 certifications. The company has built a deep scientific track record with 900+ journal publications and analysis of 50,000+ samples cumulatively.

Name

BGI Americas

Legal name

BGI Americas Corporation

Website

https://bgiamericas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

BGI Americas Corporation is the US regional entity of BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, providing fee-for-service DNA/RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and multi-omics solutions to academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers across the USA and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics Sequencing Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• Next generation sequencing
• Genomics services
• Bioinformatics analysis
• Multi-omics solutions
• DNA sequencing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Genomics Sequencing Services: Fee-for-service laboratory services providing DNA/RNA sequencing on various platforms (Illumina HiSeq, Ion Proton, Complete Genomics). Revenue generated through per-sample pricing for whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, target region sequencing, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and other omics services. Not-for-profit structure channels proceeds into further research programs.
2. Bioinformatics Analysis Services: Bioinformatics analysis services bundled with sequencing or offered separately. Includes standard and advanced bioinformatics analysis, custom pipeline development, and cloud-based data analysis tools.
3. BGI Online Cloud Platform Credits: Cloud computing platform offering free initial credits (30,000) for new users with additional compute credits available for purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BGI Americas provides fee-for-service genomics sequencing and bioinformatics analysis using Illumina HiSeq, Ion Proton, and Complete Genomics platforms. The company delivers comprehensive multi-omics solutions including whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA-Seq, epigenomics, proteomics, and metagenomics services. Customers submit samples to BGI facilities and receive high-quality sequencing data with bundled bioinformatics analysis.

Product overview

BGI Americas provides comprehensive sequencing and bioinformatics services for medical, agricultural, and environmental applications. The company operates as a not-for-profit research organization offering a broad portfolio organized into core service categories: Genomics Services (de novo sequencing, whole genome resequencing, exome/target region sequencing, genotyping, Sanger sequencing), Transcriptomics Services (RNA-Seq, Small RNA, Whole transcriptome), Epigenomics Services (Bisulfite Sequencing, RRBS, ChIP-Seq), Metagenomics Services (16S rDNA, whole genome metagenomics), Proteomics Services (proteome profiling, quantitative, targeted), and Single-Cell Sequencing. These core services are supported by specialized platforms including BGI Online cloud computing platform, BGI TumorCare 1053-gene cancer panel, Ion Proton rapid sequencing, Complete Genomics platform, and various add-on solutions (MHC Capture Sequencing, Immune Repertoire Sequencing, Whole Genome Mapping). BGI offers bioinformatics analysis and proprietary SOAP software tools. The company maintains lab facilities in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Philadelphia (BGI@CHOP), and Sacramento (BGI@UC Davis), and has generated over 900 publications in top-tier journals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Genomics Services Comprehensive genomics sequencing services including de novo sequencing, whole genome resequencing, exome sequencing, target region sequencing, and genotyping using Illumina HiSeq, Ion Proton, and Complete Genomics platforms for research institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
• Transcriptomics Services RNA sequencing services for transcriptome quantification and structural analysis, including RNA-Seq (Transcriptome), RNA-Seq (Quantification), Small RNA Sequencing, and Whole transcriptome sequencing (lncRNA + mRNA) for gene expression studies.
• Epigenomics Services DNA methylation and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis services including Bisulfite Sequencing, RRBS, MeDIP Sequencing, and ChIP-Seq using Illumina platforms for epigenetics research.
• Metagenomics Services Metagenomic sequencing solutions including 16S rDNA tagging, whole genome metagenomic sequencing, microbial gene catalog establishment, and human microbe-disease association analysis for microbiome studies.
• Proteomics Services Protein analysis services including proteome profiling, quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ, label-free quantification), phosphoprotein identification, protein identification, and targeted proteomics.
• Single-Cell Sequencing Single-cell analysis services encompassing Single-Cell DNA Sequencing and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing, enabling analysis of infinitesimal sample amounts including mammalian oocytes and early-stage embryos.
• BGI Online Cloud-based genomic computing platform providing high-performance computing, massive data storage, automated API integration, Docker-based SDK, and collaborative tools for global research teams, with HIPAA and EU Data Protection Directive compliance.
• BGI TumorCare NGS-based cancer research panel detecting all genomic alterations (SNVs, INDELs, CNVs, fusions) across 1053 cancer genes with >99% sensitivity and specificity, linking variants to 117 known cancer therapeutics for oncology research.
• Whole Genome Mapping High-resolution ordered whole genome restriction maps generated from single DNA molecules using OpGen Argus Whole Genome Mapping System for microbial comparative genomics, strain typing, and genome assembly.
• Human MHC Capture Sequencing HLA typing capture kit targeting 4.97Mb of the MHC region including surrounding regions, providing >97% coverage, >99% variation detection consistency, and >95% typing accuracy at 4-digit resolution for 26 HLA genes.
• Immune Repertoire Sequencing Amplifies CDR/CDR3 regions of B-cell and T-cell receptors using multiple-PCR or 5' RACE methods for comprehensive immune system diversity assessment and lymphocyte clone profiling in immunology research.
• Ion Proton Rapid Sequencing Rapid sequencing service using Ion Proton semiconductor technology with 1-week turnaround for whole exome (100X) at $599/sample and 9 business days for RNA-Seq with up to 40 samples.
• Complete Genomics Platform
• Bioinformatics Analysis Expert bioinformatics analysis services including differential gene expression, pathway enrichment, Gene Ontology analysis, protein-protein interaction networks, and custom analysis pipelines bundled with sequencing services.
• SOAP Software Proprietary bioinformatics software suite (Short Oligonucleotide Alignment Program) for next-generation sequencing data analysis with tens of thousands of users worldwide for alignment and analysis of sequencing data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Correlation coefficient between sample replicates: >0.99
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• CONVERGE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2015International research consortium including BGI, University of Oxford, Virginia Commonwealth University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College. Identified two robust genetic variants for major depressive disorder (MDD) through low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of 5,303 Chinese women with recurrent MDD and 5,337 controls.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2011BGI@CHOP Joint Genome Center established November 2011 for large-scale human genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Partnership focuses initially on discovery of genes underpinning rare and common pediatric diseases using next-generation sequencing.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2011BGI@UC Davis Joint Genome Center established October 2011 on UC Davis Health System campus in Sacramento. Partnership supports research in human and animal health, food safety, biology, and environment. Planning for permanent joint genome center facility.
• LuCAMP Consortium (Sino-Danish)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Sino-Danish Genome-Wide Association Study sponsored by LUCAMP involving 10 research organizations from Europe and China. Research on Type II Diabetes, visceral obesity, hypertension, and metabolic diseases. After sequencing whole exome regions for 1,000 cases and 1,000 controls, discovered over 200 T2D genes and validating in 17,000 people.
• Merck Research LaboratoriesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatement of intent collaboration to bring together Merck's pharmaceutical development expertise with BGI's sequencing and bioinformatics capabilities in genomics and epigenetics research.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Azenta Life Sciences (formerly Genewiz): Genomics services competitor offering Sanger, NGS, gene synthesis, and bioinformatics analysis to academic and pharma customers in North America. Directly competes with BGI Americas on turnaround time, pricing, and project scale.
• Q² Solutions (IQVIA/Quest joint venture): Clinical trial laboratory services and genomics provider serving pharma and biotech, with comparable bioanalytical and biomarker discovery offerings relevant to BGI's pharma R&D segment.
• 10x Genomics: Single-cell sequencing platform and services provider, directly overlapping BGI's single-cell DNA/RNA sequencing services and competing for the same translational research and pharma biomarker customer base.
• Eurofins Genomics: Global genomics services provider offering DNA/RNA sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics with strong European footprint and growing North American presence. Comparable scale and service breadth to BGI Americas.
• MGI Tech (BGI Group affiliate): BGI-affiliated sequencing instrument manufacturer competing with Illumina in the platform layer; relevant as a peer given shared DNA and overlapping customer base, particularly in international markets.
• NeoGenomics: Clinical oncology-focused genomics services company offering NGS-based cancer panels and molecular testing. Comparable to BGI's clinical/cancer sequencing expansion (e.g., TumorCare panel) and pharma biomarker services.

Broad incumbents

• Illumina: Dominant sequencing platform vendor that also operates direct services (Illumina Genomic Services) and competes head-to-head with BGI Americas for research and clinical sequencing contracts. Directly comparable in service portfolio across WGS, exome, and RNA-Seq.
• Pacific Biosciences: Long-read sequencing platform vendor that increasingly competes with BGI in human WGS and de novo sequencing applications. Comparable technology category though differentiated by read length.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large contract research organization offering a range of discovery and safety assessment services including genomic and biomarker capabilities. Comparable as a diversified CRO/lab services peer competing for pharma R&D budgets.

Emerging players

• Element Biosciences: Emerging sequencing platform company targeting lower-cost, high-accuracy short-read sequencing. Represents the next-generation competitive threat to commodity sequencing service pricing that BGI historically led on cost.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BGI_Events
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BGIAmericas
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/BGI/144703072248402?sk=wall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bgi-americas-corporation

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BGI Americas