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Meeting highlights:
- Dr Jorge Melendez Zajgla's appointment as General Director of INMEGEN 1,5 years ago coincided with the 20th anniversary of his organization. A new generation of executives advancing the Institute's vision and agenda.
- Vision and Mission: Jorge articulates a dual-phase mission for genomic medicine in Mexico. The first phase (20 years) focused on establishing a high-level research facility and generating essential genetic data for Mexicans. The second phase will leverage this data to improve general health outcomes through diagnostics and treatment innovations.
- Genomic Medicine at the backbone of improving healthcare outcomes: the initiation of exciting projects aimed at developing diagnostic tools and beginning treatment components to enhance population health. ( Examples of cancer diagnostics in infants, neonatal screenings, Mexican genomic sequence diversity.
- Alignment with National Health Goals: INMEGEN's strategic alignment with the National Institute of Health's vision and future priorities for advancing health initiatives across Mexico.
- Mexican Genomic information is the country's health resource.
- INMEGEN Partnerships and the future: moving towards Genomic Medicine, cell therapy, CAR T cells.
- INMEGEN is the backbone institution in Mexico with the framework to establish partnerships, spin-offs and PPPs in Genomics in Mexico.
EF: What was the mission you set when you were appointed and what would you like to achieve in this role?
JZ: INMEGEN was established as the first genomic medicine institute in Mexico, positioning itself as a foremost authority in the field. The initial vision was to create a high-level research facility for genomic medicine in the country, following a two-phase approach:
In the first 20 years, the focus was on developing genomic research within Mexico and generating genetic and genomic information specific to Mexicans—data that had been largely missing in global genomics research. This foundational phase was essential to establish a comprehensive understanding of Mexico’s unique genetic landscape.
The next 20 years are dedicated to applying this accumulated knowledge to improve the health of the Mexican population. The goal is to leverage genomic data to develop diagnostic and therapeutic tools that will directly benefit public health. Currently, we are embarking on a series of innovative projects focused on diagnostic tools, and we are beginning to integrate treatment components to further this mission.
We feel both optimistic and encouraged by the synergy of our goals with the national healthcare strategy. My plans are well-aligned with these larger health initiatives, and we are eager to see the positive impact this will have on Mexico’s healthcare system over the next 10 to 20 years.
EF: What is the current state of genomic medicine in Mexico?
JZ: Beyond foundational genomic research, there is a critical need for accessible genomic tools in the day-to-day clinical practice of doctors across Mexico. Our health system is highly fragmented, which exacerbates the demand for genomic diagnostic tools, especially for conditions where genomic information is essential, like cancer. For example, treating cancer effectively requires genomic insights, as many targeted therapies rely on precise genetic data to guide treatment.
Currently, we have attempted to bridge this gap by contracting foreign laboratories, but this approach has been costly and logistically challenging, particularly with sample exports. Our goal is to establish these tools domestically in Mexico. This initiative is crucial to address disparities in health outcomes. For example, in pediatric cancer, five-year survival rates exceed 90% in the U.S. and Europe, while in Mexico, they are only around 50%. This stark contrast highlights the urgent need for localized genomic resources to improve early diagnoses and outcomes for children with cancer.
Additionally, we are focusing on enhancing diagnostics for rare diseases, which currently have limited detection in Mexico. While each rare disease may affect a small portion of the population, collectively, it impacts around two million people in Mexico. Addressing these diseases, alongside implementing genomic-based neonatal screening, represents another significant opportunity to improve public health.
We believe that by investing in genomic tools now, we can drive meaningful change in the short term. The aim is not just to discover new variants or future therapies but to make an immediate difference by equipping clinicians with the genetic information they need to make informed, life-saving decisions today.
EF: Can you tell us about the ‘Origin Project’ and other big data projects you have participated in?
JZ: This is one of the big data projects done in Mexico; we have been involved in several others too. For instance, I was part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and at INMEGEN, we have a strong track record in participating in large-scale initiatives. This latest project is led by Tec Salud in Monterrey, with multiple institutions participating, including our own.
The aim here is ambitious, akin to initiatives in countries like Iceland and the United Kingdom, where they are working to sequence entire populations to harness rich genomic data for purposes ranging from artificial intelligence to preventive health. However, this project in Mexico aspires to go further by connecting data sources across the entire country. Rather than isolated efforts, the goal is to create a centralized, accessible data repository that can benefit researchers and healthcare professionals nationwide.
This initiative will require collaboration among a wide array of stakeholders, not only Tec Salud and INMEGEN but also other entities invested in genomic information. Achieving this coordination is one of the project’s biggest challenges, as it involves bringing all parties to the table to align on shared goals and establish agreements.
Our ultimate vision is to become not only consumers of genomic data but also providers, with a focus on utilizing this information to advance health outcomes across Mexico. This project, along with others like our cancer genomics research, aims to position Mexico as a leader in applying genomic data for impactful health solutions.
We have observed significant differences between Mexican genomic data and that of other populations. If you compare populations within Mexico—say, those from the north and south—they are more genetically distinct from each other than populations from the UK and Japan are from one another. This highlights Mexico as one of the most genetically diverse countries in the Americas.
While Africa holds the highest diversity as the origin of humanity, Mexico’s genomic diversity is substantial. Our aim is to leverage this diversity to benefit Mexican healthcare foremost, although we recognize the value of sharing this information broadly. Achieving this requires robust networks and synergy—not only among universities and research centers but also in close collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. Given limited resources, working with industry partners is essential to translate genomic insights into practical treatments.
The National Institute of Health’s framework enables us to create public-private partnerships and even spin-offs, paving the way for sustainable collaborations that can bring these genetic advancements to fruition for Mexico. We have established several promising partnerships that we believe will be highly fruitful. Collaborating closely with our investors and innovation hubs, we anticipate that these partnerships will accelerate the development and deployment of the innovations we are creating.
EF: When it comes to artificial intelligence and the data architecture supporting it, how are you preparing to integrate this information into policy-making? What capabilities and infrastructure do you see as essential for INMEGEN to develop?
JZ: We are fortunate to have nearly 20 years of experience in competitive genomics and computation. Our infrastructure includes a large cluster of AI chips—around 96 to 100—which we are actively using in our genomic projects. Our initial focus is on centralizing our existing genomic data, beyond just specific origins, as we already have around 10,000 sequenced genomes.
This extensive dataset gives us a unique advantage. When looking for Hispanic genomic markers, we have contributed a wealth of data that is accessible for broader use, though we are now moving into more comprehensive big data applications. Unlike individual gene variants, having full genomic data provides a much deeper insight.
To fully leverage this, we are in discussions to establish a consortium that would maximize the value of this data. We have already engaged partners like the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, aiming to create a collaborative framework for advancing genomics and public health in Mexico.
The Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública generates much of Mexico's health data, reaching communities across the country to collect samples. Although the samples are theirs, we collaborate closely, positioning ourselves as a hub not just for genomic data but also for comprehensive health information, including clinical variables and other essential health metrics.
Our goal is to be the primary user of this integrated data through our consortium, enabling us to develop impactful tools. For example, we have already created an Alzheimer’s risk algorithm that leverages genetic information and artificial intelligence, and we plan to deploy this in the coming months. We see this as a foundation to build on, welcoming collaborations that can help us expand these resources for all researchers in Mexico. This would allow us to develop solutions accessible to communities that may lack specialists, such as radiologists or pathologists, in smaller hospitals.
Additionally, our genomic diagnostics lab currently processes about 5,000 to 6,000 samples annually, providing diagnostic services. We have recently invested in large-scale equipment to centralize and scale up our genomic data processing, which will help reduce costs. Financial challenges remain, but consolidating this work here is a key step toward making genomic healthcare more accessible in Mexico.
EF: What are the main sources of revenue for the institute today? If you are looking to attract investment, what would your pitch be? Looking ahead, what do you envision as the future business model for INMEGEN?
JZ: It is a difficult question, but I will break it down. For operational costs, the majority of our budget comes from the public sector, covering salaries and day-to-day expenses. We also generate significant revenue through services we provide to private companies, such as pharmaceutical firms like AstraZeneca, who require diagnostic services. Additionally, we collaborate with other public institutions, including performing most of the genomic analysis for Mexico's National Cancer Institute and other health entities.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were the main diagnostic facility in Mexico, processing around 6,600 samples. So, our business model combines both public and private sector services.
Looking forward, we are in the process of expanding our partnerships with private entities to develop genomic services and facilities here in Mexico. I believe it is essential that, as a public entity, we do not bear the full financial responsibility. The private sector has the capital to invest, and by partnering with them, we can reduce costs for the public while still making advanced genomic services accessible to those who cannot afford them.
The feedback from these private sector companies has been very positive. Many of them are deeply committed to supporting public health, particularly for people who cannot afford such services. We are well-positioned as the natural partner for anyone looking to invest in or expand genomic services in Mexico, given our expertise in both the Mexican genome and genomic analysis capabilities.
EF: Is it correct that your research focused on microRNA? In which area of medicine do you think Mexico has the potential to win a Nobel Prize?
JZ: I have worked primarily with cancer research in general. Initially, before genomic medicine, there was molecular medicine, so I started as a molecular biologist. Over time, I naturally transitioned into genomic medicine. My work has involved microRNA, apoptosis, and cancer genomics, which have been the main focus areas of my research.
In regards to the Nobel prize, I would guess long non-coding RNAs as the area where Mexico could win a Nobel Prize. For a long time, scientists believed that the DNA that does not code for proteins was just "junk" or irrelevant. However, we now know that much of this non-coding DNA plays a crucial role in maintaining cell function. There are several diseases linked to mutations in these non-coding regions, which we sometimes fail to even define properly as genes. This shift in understanding could open up new pathways for breakthroughs in medicine.
Long non-coding RNAs could be the next big thing. We are still in the early stages of understanding their full potential and the possible applications they hold. As research progresses, I believe we will uncover more insights and find ways to harness this knowledge to address a wide range of medical challenges.
One final point I would like to add is that we are now embarking on the therapeutic side of genomic medicine. We are actively exploring genetic therapies, cell therapies, and cardiogenic cell treatments. At this stage, we are seeking partners to help us advance these initiatives. Our goal is to avoid the common bottlenecks that typically arise when developing new drugs or treatments. We are focused on the development of genomic medicine therapies and are excited about the potential ahead.
