During a trade mission organized by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), San Diego-based “Illumina” signed a memorandum of understanding with six Latvian institutions in the fields of science, medicine, and higher education. The agreement aims to expand cooperation in genomics, promote the development of precision medicine, and facilitate the use of the latest biomedical technologies in patient treatment.
“In collaboration with Illumina, Latvia can offer the expertise of its scientists, the Latvian National Biobank, sequencing infrastructure, and the involvement of university hospitals. This agreement will allow for a closer link between research and healthcare and a faster implementation of precision medicine solutions. It is in Latvia’s interest for this collaboration to also yield new diagnostic methods, intellectual property, and exportable medical technology services,” emphasizes Raivis Bremšmits, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.
The Latvian delegation met in San Diego with Jacob Thaysen, CEO of Illumina. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities to expand the existing cooperation between Latvia and the company, accelerate the implementation of innovations in genomics, and develop precision medicine in Latvia.
A memorandum of understanding with Illumina was signed by the National Research and Innovation Institute, Riga East University Hospital, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga Stradins University, and the University of Latvia.
The agreement confirms the parties’ commitment to advancing genomics and lays the foundation for the wider use of precision medicine and modern biomedical technologies. The goal of the collaboration is to improve disease diagnosis and treatment options in order to enhance patient health outcomes.
“Through our collaboration with Illumina, we aim to bring the possibilities of modern genetics closer to patients—to enable earlier disease detection, more accurately assess individual risk, and select treatments that are better suited to each patient,” says Dr. Vita Rovīte, Head of the Molecular and Functional Genomics Group and Senior Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Institute.
“Illumina” is one of the world’s leading companies in DNA sequencing and microarray technologies. Its technologies are used in human genome research, oncology, research on genetic and infectious diseases, reproductive health, molecular diagnostics, and drug development.
Following the signing of the memorandum, Latvian institutions and Illumina will continue to work together on genomics, precision medicine, and the application of biomedical technologies in Latvia’s healthcare system.
“Latvia should not merely be a user of off-the-shelf technologies in genomics. We have scientists, a biobank, sequencing infrastructure, and university hospitals that enable us to participate directly in the development and testing of new solutions. Collaboration with Illumina expands Latvia’s opportunities to participate in international research, to introduce new technologies into medicine more quickly, and to create new services and companies based on research. The benefits of this collaboration extend beyond a single project—it strengthens Latvia’s science, healthcare, and high-value-added economy. “LIAA will support the signatories of the memorandum to ensure that the agreement is followed by concrete research and technology development projects,” says LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.
The LIAA organizes participation in trade missions abroad as part of the European Union-co-financed Program for the Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), with support from the European Regional Development Fund and state funding. A company may participate in a trade mission either by paying a fee or by receiving support to cover eligible expenses.
