Many people may only know the countries of Central Asia through their historical links as trading routes – the Silk Road - between China and the Mediterranean. However, Pavel Natalin, a business development manager with BGI Genomics, understands their modern history and the future these countries are writing today as they strive to provide the best health services to their populations. 

Pavel Natalin, Business Development Manager for Central Asia, BGI Genomics.

The Central Asia nations, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, are important markets for BGI Group and its vision of using genomics to benefit mankind. Pavel is responsible for helping to search for new public and private sector partnerships for BGI. It is a role he enjoys and one that challenges him.

With a father who was a professor and scientist, it was natural for Pavel to pursue a scientific career. Having obtained a PhD he left academia and joined BGI: “BGI is a unique company in the life sciences industry with an integrated approach that combines technology, diagnostics, and services,” he says.

Pavel describes how it has been necessary for BGI to do a lot of education in the markets among healthcare professionals and patients to help them understand the importance and benefits of genetic testing.

“In Uzbekistan, we have a joint venture laboratory that is involved in a program for newborn screening for diseases,” he explains. “It is very important to diagnose such diseases at the earliest stage possible, because that affects the life of the kids and onwards,” he adds.

In Central Asia BGI has two main types of partners – government sector and private genetic service testing companies. Pavel notes that “Government officials are interested in strategic partnerships with advanced technology providers like BGI, to advance strategically in the long term.”

BGI recognizes this at the most senior levels within the company. In May 2023, Wang Jian, Co-Founder and Chairman of BGI Group visited both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan holding meetings with government officials, participating in forums, delivering lectures, and visiting various science and medical research and public health facilities, and achieving greater cooperation in scientific research, agriculture, health and talent training.

In October 2023 BGI Group strengthened its commitment to precision medicine and genomics development by making a trilateral agreement with the Medical Center Hospital of the President’s Affairs Administration of Kazakhstan and the Astana Medical University that would enable the development of new healthcare programs for prenatal, neonatal, carrier and oncology screening, and the establishment of a genomics research institute.

And, in January 2024, during a visit to BGI Headquarters by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Health, an MOU was signed, under which both parties agreed to deepen cooperation in public health and talent training.

While this level of cooperation brings new partners, it also keeps the entire team at BGI in Central Asia busy. There is also life outside of work and Pavel enjoys reading classic literature, especially poetry. “I think both [poetry and science] are highly creative undertakings and both poets and scientists have to be creative. In the end, you come up with a beautiful thing.

In terms of advice for new employees joining BGI, Pavel echoes the advice given by Wang Jian – work hard, have fun and change the world!