MGI
MGI, also known as MGI Tech, is a Chinese life-science technology company developing genetic sequencing, genotyping, gene-expression, proteomics, and laboratory-automation systems.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
MGI, also known as MGI Tech, is a Shenzhen-based Chinese biotechnology and life-science technology company focused on tools used in genomics, molecular biology, and laboratory workflows. Its principal business is the development and manufacture of genetic sequencing platforms, sequencing consumables, and related laboratory automation systems for research, healthcare, agricultural, and other life-science applications. The company’s products are intended primarily for use by laboratories and institutional customers rather than for direct consumer purchase. MGI was established in 2016 as a subsidiary of BGI Group. Its formation brought together BGI’s sequencing technology activities and the capabilities associated with Complete Genomics, a U.S. genomics company acquired by BGI in 2013. Complete Genomics subsequently became part of MGI in 2018. This corporate and technological background helped MGI build its own sequencing platform portfolio around DNA nanoball sequencing and related combinatorial probe-anchor synthesis techniques. These methods are designed to amplify and read genetic material on patterned arrays and to support high-throughput sequencing at a lower cost structure than some competing approaches. By July 2022, MGI’s operations were described as having two main business segments: genetic sequencers and laboratory automation systems. The sequencing portfolio ranges from instruments intended for lower- and mid-throughput research to high-throughput systems capable of processing large numbers of samples. Its DNBSEQ platform is positioned around throughput, accuracy, operating economics, and the use of DNA nanoball technology. MGI has also promoted automated laboratory systems intended to standardize and accelerate sample preparation and other repetitive steps around sequencing workflows. The company pursued a major financing and capital-markets transition during 2020–2022. In May 2020, it raised a reported US$1 billion Series B financing round from IDG Capital and CPE China Fund. It submitted an application for an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market in December 2020 and received approval in September 2021. MGI was subsequently spun out of BGI Group and listed in Shanghai in 2022, becoming a separately listed company while retaining a close historical connection to the BGI ecosystem. MGI’s international expansion has involved both subsidiaries and regional commercial infrastructure. Complete Genomics has served as an important overseas research and technology subsidiary, with operations moved to San Jose after its acquisition and later integrated into MGI. In 2024, MGI opened a Customer Experience Center in Brazil, supporting the company’s effort to develop a presence in Latin America. In 2025, Swiss biotech incubator Swiss Rockets entered an exclusive licensing arrangement with MGI Tech and its U.S. subsidiary Complete Genomics covering the development and commercialization of next-generation sequencers based on CoolMPS technology in most parts of the world. MGI operates in a strategically sensitive sector. Its relationship with BGI and the handling of genomic information have drawn scrutiny from U.S. policymakers, even though MGI has stated that it supplies instruments and consumables and does not itself access customer samples or genetic data. The company has also been involved in extensive patent litigation with Illumina. In one case, an American jury found that an MGI affiliate infringed Illumina patents; in another, a jury found that Illumina’s two-channel sequencing chemistry infringed patents held by MGI through Complete Genomics. These disputes have affected the commercial availability of some technologies in the United States and underscore the competitive and legal intensity of the sequencing-instrument market. MGI continues to position itself as a global alternative in genetic sequencing and laboratory automation. Its recent product announcements have emphasized faster sequencing, high sample capacity, improved accuracy, and lower per-genome costs. The company remains active, but its international growth is shaped by export controls, data-governance concerns, intellectual-property disputes, and the broader geopolitical sensitivity of genomic technologies.
History
MGI was founded in 2016 as a subsidiary of BGI Group to develop and commercialize sequencing and other life-science technologies. The company inherited a technological foundation associated with BGI’s work in high-throughput genomics and with Complete Genomics, which BGI acquired in 2013. Complete Genomics moved its operations to San Jose after the acquisition and became part of MGI in June 2018. The company’s technology portfolio developed around DNA nanoball sequencing. In this approach, DNA nanoballs are loaded onto patterned array chips and read through combinatorial probe-anchor synthesis and related sequencing chemistry. MGI has used the platform to compete in genetic sequencing by emphasizing throughput, accuracy, and cost efficiency. Its products serve genetic sequencing, genotyping, gene-expression, proteomics, and laboratory-automation applications. MGI entered a significant financing and listing phase in 2020. In May of that year, the company raised a reported US$1 billion Series B round from IDG Capital and CPE China Fund. It filed an IPO application for the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market in December 2020 and received listing approval in September 2021. The company was subsequently separated from BGI Group and listed in Shanghai in 2022. As of 2022, MGI’s activities were organized around two principal areas: genetic sequencers and laboratory automation systems. Its sequencing range has included instruments for different levels of throughput, supporting applications from research workflows to large-scale genome analysis. MGI has continued to expand its DNBSEQ family, including the DNBSEQ-T20, which it described in 2023 as capable of processing up to 50,000 human genomes annually. In 2025, it announced the DNBSEQ-T1+ and promoted the DNBSEQ-T7+ for very rapid sequencing workflows. International expansion has been accompanied by political and legal challenges. In 2019, U.S. senators raised questions about the possibility of American genomic or exome data being processed through MGI-related facilities and whether U.S. public healthcare funding could support such activity. MGI responded that it supplies instruments and consumables for customers’ own laboratories and does not own, control, handle, or access customers’ samples or genetic data. MGI and companies associated with it have also been involved in patent disputes with Illumina. In November 2021, a California federal jury found that MGI America infringed Illumina patents and awarded Illumina US$8 million. In March 2022, a U.S. district judge extended restrictions on the sale of MGI CoolMPS sequencers in the United States. Separately, Complete Genomics sued Illumina in 2019 over two-channel sequencing chemistry. In May 2022, a Delaware jury found that Illumina infringed two Complete Genomics patents and awarded US$333.8 million, while also rejecting or invalidating certain claims raised by Illumina in its countersuit. MGI continued its overseas development in 2024 by opening a Customer Experience Center in Brazil. The company also faced renewed market sensitivity around U.S. legislative proposals concerning the transfer of American health data to China; reports indicated that its market capitalization declined by more than one-third after such legislation was introduced. In 2025, Swiss Rockets signed an exclusive license with MGI Tech and Complete Genomics for the development and commercialization of next-generation sequencers based on CoolMPS technology across most global markets. MGI remains an active supplier of sequencing and laboratory-automation technologies, while its future international expansion depends on competition, intellectual-property outcomes, data-governance rules, and geopolitical conditions.
- 2025
New sequencers and CoolMPS licensing activity
[1]MGI unveiled the DNBSEQ-T1+, promoted DNBSEQ-T7+ speed claims, and granted Swiss Rockets an exclusive license related to CoolMPS-based next-generation sequencers.
- 2024
Brazil Customer Experience Center opens
[1]MGI opened a Customer Experience Center in Brazil to support regional customers and international expansion.
- 2023
DNBSEQ-T20 is announced
[1]MGI announced the DNBSEQ-T20 and promoted its capacity for large-scale human-genome sequencing.
- 2022
MGI becomes separately listed and wins Delaware patent case
[1]MGI was spun out and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange; a Delaware jury also found Illumina liable for infringing MGI-related patents.
- 2021
STAR Market listing approval and California patent verdict
[1]MGI received approval for its Shanghai listing, while a California jury found an MGI affiliate liable for patent infringement against Illumina.
- 2020
Series B financing and IPO filing
[1]MGI raised a reported US$1 billion Series B round and filed an application for a Shanghai STAR Market listing.
- 2019
Complete Genomics files two-channel sequencing lawsuit
[1]Complete Genomics sued Illumina, alleging infringement of patents concerning two-channel DNA sequencing chemistry.
- 2018
Complete Genomics becomes part of MGI
[1]Complete Genomics was incorporated into MGI after operating as a BGI subsidiary.
- 2016
MGI is founded
[1]MGI was established as a subsidiary of BGI Group to manufacture and commercialize high-throughput sequencing systems and related life-science products.
- 2013
BGI acquires Complete Genomics
[1]BGI Group acquired Complete Genomics, creating a foundation for technology and organizational capabilities later incorporated into MGI.
Products and positioning
A technology-driven sequencing and laboratory-automation supplier positioned around high throughput, low operating cost, sequencing accuracy, and DNA nanoball-based platforms for research and healthcare laboratories.
Genetic sequencing systems
DNBSEQ sequencing platforms
MGI’s DNBSEQ family uses DNA nanoball-based sequencing and patterned-array workflows for high-throughput genomic analysis. The portfolio spans instruments designed for different laboratory scales and workloads, with the company emphasizing accuracy, throughput, and cost efficiency. These systems are used by research, clinical, and other life-science laboratories together with compatible reagents and consumables.
High-throughput genetic sequencer · 2023
DNBSEQ-T20
The DNBSEQ-T20 is a large-scale sequencing system announced by MGI in 2023. MGI described it as capable of reading up to 50,000 human genomes annually and cited a potential cost as low as US$100 per genome. The instrument is positioned for laboratories and population-scale projects requiring substantial sequencing capacity rather than routine low-volume testing.
Mid-throughput genetic sequencer · 2025
DNBSEQ-T1+
The DNBSEQ-T1+ is a mid-throughput sequencer unveiled in 2025. MGI said it could complete a paired-end 150 sequencing workflow in 24 hours and promoted Q40 accuracy for the stated workflow. It is intended to address laboratories that need more capacity than a small benchtop instrument while not requiring the scale of MGI’s largest systems.
High-throughput genetic sequencer · 2025
DNBSEQ-T7+
The DNBSEQ-T7+ is a high-throughput sequencing platform promoted by MGI in 2025. At a launch event, the company said the system could sequence 144 human genomes per day, equivalent to approximately one genome every ten minutes under the described conditions. Its positioning centers on rapid processing and large-scale genomic workloads.
Sequencing chemistry and technology
CoolMPS
CoolMPS is a sequencing technology associated with MGI Tech and Complete Genomics. It has been incorporated into sequencing products and became the subject of U.S. patent litigation and commercial restrictions involving Illumina. In 2025, MGI licensed rights for the development and commercialization of next-generation sequencers based on CoolMPS to Swiss Rockets in most parts of the world.
Laboratory automation
Laboratory automation systems
MGI’s laboratory-automation activities support repetitive preparation and processing steps surrounding genomics workflows. These systems are designed for institutional laboratories seeking greater standardization, throughput, and process efficiency. The business is one of the two principal operating segments identified for MGI alongside genetic sequencing systems.
Controversies
2024
Market reaction to proposed restrictions on U.S. health data transfers
MGI reportedly lost more than one-third of its market capitalization after U.S. congressional legislation was introduced to prohibit or restrict the transfer of American health data to China. The episode reflected continuing geopolitical and data-governance concerns surrounding Chinese genomics companies.
2020
BGI questions fairness of gene-sequencer tender
BGI Manufacturing, an unsuccessful bidder, publicly questioned the tender process, alleging that the short timetable and specifications were tailored to Illumina equipment and exclusionary. The report also said the purchase funds might have come from a Tesla donation and noted that the winning equipment was an Illumina product; it described questions about the donation's purpose as allegations.
2019
U.S. scrutiny over genomic-data processing
U.S. senators raised concerns about the circumstances under which public healthcare programs might finance MGI-related processing of American genomic or exome data. MGI responded that it sells instruments and consumables for customer-operated laboratories and does not own, control, handle, or access customers’ samples or genetic data.
Brand decisions
2025
Expand the DNBSEQ platform with T1+ and T7+Product launchBackground
MGI continued to develop products addressing both mid-throughput laboratory needs and very large, rapid sequencing workloads.
Action taken
The company unveiled the DNBSEQ-T1+ and promoted the DNBSEQ-T7+ with claims concerning 24-hour paired-end workflows and rapid genome processing.
Aftermath
The announcements broadened the DNBSEQ product range and reinforced MGI’s emphasis on speed and throughput.
2025
License CoolMPS technology to Swiss RocketsM&ABackground
MGI sought to extend the reach of its sequencing technology through international development and commercialization partners.
Action taken
MGI Tech and Complete Genomics granted Swiss Rockets exclusive rights to develop and commercialize CoolMPS-based next-generation sequencers in most parts of the world.
Aftermath
The agreement created a partner-led route for expanding CoolMPS-based products outside markets retained by MGI and its affiliates.
2023
Launch the DNBSEQ-T20Product launchBackground
Large-scale genomics projects require sequencing systems with substantial annual capacity and competitive per-genome economics.
Action taken
MGI introduced the DNBSEQ-T20 and promoted capacity of up to 50,000 human genomes per year.
Aftermath
The product strengthened MGI’s positioning in population-scale and high-throughput sequencing.
2020
Pursue major financing and a public listingStrategyBackground
MGI required capital to expand sequencing technology, manufacturing, and commercial operations.
Action taken
The company raised a reported US$1 billion Series B financing and later filed for a STAR Market IPO.
Aftermath
MGI received listing approval in 2021 and was subsequently spun out and listed in Shanghai in 2022.
Series B financing. US$1 billion raised (May 2020)
2016
Establish MGI as a dedicated sequencing businessStrategyBackground
BGI Group sought a dedicated corporate vehicle for sequencing systems and related life-science technologies.
Action taken
MGI was founded as a BGI subsidiary focused on manufacturing and commercializing high-throughput sequencing and laboratory products.
Aftermath
The structure gave MGI a distinct platform for product development, financing, international operations, and eventual public listing.
Recent events
- 2025
Swiss Rockets signs exclusive CoolMPS licensing agreement[1]
M&A · Other
Swiss Rockets entered an exclusive licensing agreement with MGI Tech and Complete Genomics to develop and commercialize next-generation sequencers based on CoolMPS technology in most parts of the world.
- 2025
MGI unveils DNBSEQ-T1+[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MGI introduced the DNBSEQ-T1+, a mid-throughput sequencer promoted as completing paired-end 150 sequencing in 24 hours with Q40 accuracy.
- 2025
MGI promotes rapid DNBSEQ-T7+ sequencing performance[1]
Product launch · Product generation
At a launch event, MGI said the DNBSEQ-T7+ could sequence 144 human genomes per day, equivalent to approximately one genome every ten minutes under the stated conditions.
- 2024
MGI opens a Customer Experience Center in Brazil[1]
Other
MGI opened a Customer Experience Center in Brazil as part of its international commercial and customer-support expansion.
- 2023
MGI introduces the DNBSEQ-T20[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MGI promoted the DNBSEQ-T20 as a high-capacity sequencing system capable of reading up to 50,000 human genomes per year, with a claimed per-genome cost as low as US$100.
- 2022
MGI wins patent verdict against Illumina[1]
Lawsuit
A Delaware jury found that Illumina’s two-channel sequencing chemistry infringed two patents held by MGI through Complete Genomics and awarded MGI US$333.8 million in damages.
- 2022
U.S. court extends restriction on MGI CoolMPS sales[1]
Lawsuit · Regulation
An American district court extended a restriction on MGI America’s sale of CoolMPS sequencers in the United States until August 2022, when the relevant Illumina patent was expected to expire.
- 2021
MGI receives approval for Shanghai listing[1]
Other
MGI received approval for an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s technology-focused STAR Market.
- 2021
California jury finds MGI affiliate infringed Illumina patents[1]
Lawsuit
A federal jury in California found that MGI America, described in the proceedings as a BGI affiliate, infringed Illumina patents and awarded Illumina US$8 million in damages.
- 2020
MGI raises Series B financing[1]
Other
MGI reportedly raised US$1 billion in Series B funding from IDG Capital and CPE China Fund as it prepared for an eventual public offering.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources7 sources
- 1MGI (company) — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- 2BGI questions fairness of gene-sequencer tenderfinance.sina.com.cn
- 3华大智造发布新款便携式基因测序系统finance.sina.com.cn
- 4华大智造完成10亿美金B轮融资 IDG资本领投finance.jrj.com.cn
- 5华大智造完成高中低通量产品布局 新融资计划正推进finance.sina.com.cn
- 6以领先科技为疫情防控“加码” ，比亚迪推出纯电动P2+核酸检测车finance.sina.com.cn
- 7MGI Unveils Performance Upgrades for its Sequencing Platforms* and Customized ATOPlex Platform at the 16th International Conference on Genomicsprnewswire.com
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