10x Genomics announced a partnership with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia and the University of Tokyo in Japan to create the Asia‑Pacific Spatial Translational Research Alliance (ASTRA). The consortium will use 10x’s Xenium spatial platform to map immune‑cell interactions across 2,000 tumor samples representing ten major cancer types, a scale that has not yet been achieved in the region.
ASTRA is supported by the ASPIRE program and will launch formally at the inaugural conference in Sydney, Australia, from November 19‑21, 2025. The project will establish new spatial biology hubs and a digital infrastructure for data sharing, positioning the consortium to generate a comprehensive reference of cellular context, genetic diversity, and population‑scale insights that are currently underrepresented in global cancer data.
The partnership expands 10x’s presence in the Asia‑Pacific market, a key growth region for life‑science research. By providing a large, high‑resolution dataset, the consortium will accelerate AI model development and translational diagnostics, potentially boosting demand for Xenium consumables and reinforcing 10x’s leadership in spatial biology.
Dr. Ankur Sharma of the Garvan Institute said, “ASTRA represents a new model for scientific collaboration—agile, distributed and deeply connected to the healthcare needs of the Asia‑Pacific region. By combining our expertise and leveraging 10x’s cutting‑edge Xenium spatial technology, we aim to build the most comprehensive cancer atlas for our part of the world.” Dr. Yutaka Suzuki of the University of Tokyo added, “ASTRA is a powerful step toward global equity in cancer research. By uniting leading researchers across the Asia‑Pacific and leveraging 10x Genomics’ Xenium technology, we can capture the cellular complexity of cancer in our populations and build a shared foundation for truly personalized medicine.”
The alliance aligns with 10x’s strategy to broaden its customer base beyond academia into biopharma and AI‑driven research. The large‑scale dataset will support AI model development, a growing area of investment in life sciences, and could drive increased consumption of Xenium instruments and consumables. The consortium’s digital infrastructure also positions 10x to capture new data‑sharing revenue streams and strengthen its competitive moat in the spatial omics market.
The formal launch of ASTRA at the Sydney conference marks the beginning of a multi‑year effort to generate a pan‑cancer atlas that will serve researchers, clinicians, and industry partners across the Asia‑Pacific region, potentially accelerating drug discovery and personalized medicine initiatives in the coming years.
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.