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SEATPA Inaugural Meeting 2025

Dear colleagues and friends across Southeast Asia and beyond,

The Inaugural Meeting of the Southeast Asia Thalassemia Prevention Alliance (SEATPA) will be convened in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on November 24, 2025. The program will include keynote addresses by government and academic leaders, expert presentations on advances in prevention and treatment, and a signing ceremony to formally mark the establishment of the Alliance.

Thalassemia remains one of the most urgent public health challenges in Southeast Asia, characterized by high carrier prevalence and profound burdens on patients, families, and healthcare systems. The founding of SEATPA represents a collective commitment to regional solidarity—advancing scientific innovation, fostering policy coordination, and strengthening community-based prevention to reduce the incidence of severe thalassemia.

This inaugural meeting will unite leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and public health advocates across the region. Together, we will exchange knowledge, share best practices, and set in motion a lasting framework for collaboration that brings real hope and tangible progress in the fight against thalassemia.
Meeting’s Mission
Meeting’s Participants (Listed in alphabetical order by last name)
  • The Minister of Public Health of Thailand
  • Dr. Sarawut Boonsuk is the distinguished Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, providing strategic leadership for national medical science, laboratory systems, and health security. Across his two-decade career, he has advanced evidence-based policy and key national programs recognized internationally, including the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission and the promotion of equitable universal healthcare. He now leads innovation through expanded Newborn Screening and the Genomics Thailand Initiative, and promotes regional cooperation by proposing an ASEAN Disease-Specific Essential Diagnostics List to strengthen sustainable cross-border health policy.
  • Director-General of The Department of Medical Services, MoPH, Thailand
  • Dr. Zilfalil Bin Alwi is Professor of Medical Genetics and Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Clinical Geneticist at the Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and is the Head of the Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP). He leads MyHVP’s efforts in genetic data sharing and research, supporting the global Human Variome Project’s mission in medical genetics.
  • Mr. Sujie Cao (Jeremy) serves as General Manager for Asia-Pacific at BGI Genomics, leading the company’s development across Southeast Asia and the wider region. He has led the development of research and diagnostic platforms across Southeast Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, advancing thalassemia and cancer screening while fostering regional collaboration in public health and precision medicine.
  • Mr. Cheng Le serves as General Manager of BGI Southwest Region. He leads the development of precision medicine and genetic testing in Southwest China, fostering close collaboration with government, healthcare, and research sectors.
  • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Specialist at RSAB Harapan Kita in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is dedicated to improving care for children with serious blood disorders. Her research and clinical contributions have helped raise national awareness of pediatric hematology and oncology.
  • Physician and Founder of the Vietnam Organization for Rare Diseases (VORD). He is a strong advocate for patients and families living with rare conditions. His leadership has been vital in raising public awareness and advancing support systems for the rare disease community in Vietnam.
  • Prof. Edhyana Sahiratmadja, MD, PhD, a senior lecturer and member of the Research Center for Medical Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, has contributed significantly to thalassemia carrier screening through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and the Academic Health System. By integrating education, research, and community service, she fosters interprofessional collaboration to deliver meaningful public health impact.
  • Dr. Endah Citraresmi is the Medical & Nursing Director at the National Center for Women and Child’s Health Harapan Kita in Jakarta, a leading institution that coordinates Indonesia’s national maternal and child health fostering system, including services related to thalassemia. A pediatric specialist with a subspecialty in Allergy and Immunology, she plays an active role in clinical care, medical management, and optimizing hospital services to improve pediatric outcomes. Together with the national foster team, she conducts maternal and child health fostering activities across Indonesia to help reduce maternal and infant mortality.
  • Dr. Saumya Shekhar Jamuar is Senior Consultant in the Genetics Service at KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Singapore and Director of the SingHealth Duke‑NUS Institute of Precision Medicine. He leads national efforts in genomic medicine and undiagnosed disease programmes, with research interests in genetic disorders, precision medicine and neurodevelopmental genetics.
  • Dr. Lai Yongrong is Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and serves as Deputy Director of both the Thalassemia Prevention and Treatment Research Institute and the NHC Key Laboratory. He has led multiple national research projects, received six Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Awards, and authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications.
  • Dr Li Ning takes responsibility on BGI Global Development management as Vice President in BGI Group. As a member of the committee of International Rare Disease Research Consortium (IRDiRC), he takes a leading role in the global development on BGI community of precision medicine.
  • Dr. Li Rong is Director of Fetal Abnormality Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. He specializes in preimplantation genetic diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. He serves as a National Committee Member of the Medical Genetics Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Head of the Office of the Chongqing Municipal Center for Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis Quality Control, and is an expert in thalassemia prevention and control in Chongqing.
  • Dr. Liu Chao is the Chief Executive Officer of Hemogen Biotechnology in Shenzhen, a company dedicated to gene therapy research for thalassemia and other hemoglobin disorders. He leads the team in advancing innovative gene therapy projects, promoting international collaboration, and improving the health and quality of life of patients through genetic technologies.
  • Liu Qi is the Director of Administration at the National Management Center of the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP) and a WMDA Quality System Standards Assessor. With 17 years of experience at the CMDP, he has made significant contributions in international collaboration, quality system development, technical advancement, and strategic development.
  • Ms. Shengwei Luo is the Founder and Chairwoman of Tak Yip Group (Hong Kong) and Legal Representative of Deya Hospital in Hainan, with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning and operations management. She is also Co-founder of United Energy Holdings Ltd. in Hong Kong, focusing on infrastructure and healthcare investments across Belt and Road countries.
  • Head of the Genetic Testing Group at the Vinmec Hi-Tech Center and a molecular genetics specialist with over a decade of clinical experience. She has received advanced international training in genetic diagnostics, including prenatal and postnatal thalassemia testing, and holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the Institute of Biotechnology (VAST). A member of the European Cytogeneticists Association and the Vietnam Genetics Association, she has contributed significantly to developing genetic testing services in Vietnam.
  • Dr. Peng Zhiyu, a research scientist at BGI Genomics Co., Ltd. in Shenzhen, focuses on the application of multi-omics technologies in the prevention and control of genetic disorders. He has led his team in developing a new thalassemia screening technology based on high-throughput sequencing, which has obtained certification from both the National Medical Products Administration of China and the EU CE. He actively promotes the global adoption of this technology and is dedicated to public welfare efforts in thalassemia prevention and control.
  • Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. He has been a leading figure in advancing thalassemia diagnostics and prevention. His extensive research and publications have strengthened early detection and patient care in the region.
  • Wang Jian serves as Chairman and Co-founder of BGI Group. In 1999, Wang Jian co-founded the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) to undertake China’s portion of the Human Genome Project. Under his leadership, BGI grew into one of the world’s leading genomics organizations, driving large-scale research and innovation to advance human health and science. For many decades he has been dedicated to advancing genomic science and large-scale research infrastructure, upholding the mission of “gene technology benefiting humanity.”
  • Mr. Xiaohan Wang is the Official Representative of BGI Group Thailand. He leads the company’s strategic development and partnerships across Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, advancing collaboration in genetic testing, public health, and scientific research.
  • Mr. Michael Wu is an experienced investment professional specializing in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic investments across Asia, North America, and Europe. He has led major cross-border transactions, including the merger of Hong Kong’s largest IVF clinics and the acquisition of Australia's third-largest IVF group, and currently serves as a director of United Virtue (Hong Kong) Group Limited.
  • Yosanti Elsa Kartikawati is a Clinical Pathologist at RSAB Harapan Kita in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has over 13 years of experience specializing in clinical pathology. Her expertise is crucial for maintaining high quality standards in diagnostic services, particularly in hematology.
  • Dr. Zhu Baosheng is Professor at Kunming University of Science and Technology and Director of the Genetic Diagnosis Center at Yunnan First People’s Hospital. He pioneered thalassemia and other genetic diagnostics in Yunnan. He has published extensively and received numerous national and provincial honors.
Meeting Date& Place

Date: 2025.11.24

Meeting Place: Ang Kaew Villa, Chiangmai University, Thailand.

Onsite meeting：virtual link to participate online will also be provided

Contact

bgi-seatpa@genomics.cn (General Enquiries, Jeremy Sujie Cao/ Stella Shuting Zhuang)

zhuangshuting@genomics.cn (Program Coordination)

yanglinran@genomics.cn (Logistics & Media Communications)

Sponsor Info

Meeting’s Participants

The Inaugural Meeting of the Southeast Asia Thalassemia Prevention Alliance (SEATPA) offers a range of sponsorship and partnership opportunities designed to enhance brand visibility, showcase innovative technologies, and foster meaningful cross-border collaborations. We warmly invite visionary enterprises, healthcare and research institutions, foundations, and social organizations worldwide to join us in this important mission. Together, let us advance thalassemia prevention and care in Southeast Asia. Become a valued partner of SEATPA today!

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