OSLO, NORWAY/SHANGHAI, CHINA – 22. April 2025: Microbiome DX company Genetic Analysis AS (“GA”) and Thalys Medical Technology Group Corporation (“Thalys”) announces the launch of a microbiome test for the Consumer Health (D2C) market in China. The test is based on GA’s clinically validated microbiome test, the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test, but specifically adapted to suit the Chinese market. This strategic cooperation represents the launch of GA’s commercial presence in the fast-growing market Chinese market via its partner Thalys and their new Independent Clinical Lab (ICL) in Shanghai.
The Chinese D2C microbiome testing market is growing rapidly. The estimated market size in 2023 was ~USD50-80 million, and with a projected CAGR of 20-30%, it has an expected 2030 Market Size of USD200-300 million. Main growth drivers include increased consumer interest in gut health, probiotics and personalized nutrition, as well as advances in e-commerce & digital health platforms such as Tmall and WeChat.
The Thalys microbiome testing service powered by the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test will provide consumers in China with a fast and affordable test. Thalys has developed a D2C mobile software where customers can easily subscribe, pay and view report results on their mobile phones. The results will offer insights into the beneficial and potentially harmful microbes present in the gut, along with potential health- and wellness implications. Test results will include personalized probiotics recommendations as well as weight management & metabolic health insights.
The upcoming launch of the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test to the Chinese Consumer Health market marks the completion of the first stage of the Thalys and GA collaboration. Moving forward, the Thalys Group will further develop and distribute tests based on GA’s GA-map® Technology in China.
President and Board Member of the Thalys Group, Zheng Wang (James) comments:
“We are incredibly proud to reach this pivotal milestone with our esteemed partner, Genetic Analysis, as we are launching the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test tailored for China’s dynamic Consumer Health market. This achievement underscores the power of strategic collaboration, combining GA’s globally recognized microbiome technology with Thalys’ deep-rooted expertise in China’s healthcare ecosystem. This launch is not just a testament to our shared vision but also a critical step in Thalys’ commitment to advancing precision diagnostics and personalized health solutions. The GA-map® platform’s robustness, paired with our Thalys Medical Lab capabilities, empowers Chinese consumers with actionable insights into gut health—bridging innovation with accessibility.
Together, we aim to set new industry benchmarks, driving value for consumers, clinicians, and stakeholders alike. This collaboration exemplifies Thalys’ mission to be the most innovative and trusted partner in transforming healthcare — one breakthrough at a time.”
CEO of Genetic Analysis AS, Ronny Hermansen comments:
“We are thrilled to have completed the development enabling our partner Thalys to launch the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test in China. This endeavour, constituting significant efforts including clinical studies and software development, enabling Thalys to launch a microbiome testing service tailormade for the huge Chinese Consumer Health Market. The Chinese market is characterized by high growth and a significant interest in microbiome related health issues and this market might in the future overtake the US as the most important market in the world for microbiome related diagnostics. The consumer health market needs reliable, user-friendly microbiome tests that offer actionable insights into gut health, and the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test offers exactly this.”
Within the framework of the cooperation, GA will supply reagent kits to Thalys. Thalys has invested in the clinical study activities associated with the project and developing front-end consumer software solutions, whereas GA has contributed its proprietary software and algorithm development from internal resources. The agreement set out for the cooperation is structured as an ongoing partnership without predefined order volumes or minimum delivery commitments, but revenues will be generated for GA based on the number of tests sold. GA is not obliged to make any additional financial investments as part of the collaboration.
References:
China Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Market Report (2023) – iResearch.
China Digital Health Consumer Trends (2024) – MobTech.
Global Microbiome Testing Industry Report (2023) – Grand View Research.
China Probiotics Industry Development Report (2024) – China Nutrition Society.
Please read the full press release here: