10x Genomics and A*STAR GIS Collaborate on TISHUMAP Study to Advance Precision Medicine

10x Genomics Inc has collaborated with A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore to launch the TISHUMAP project, aiming to profile thousands of tumor samples and discover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer and inflammatory diseases. The project utilizes 10x Genomics' Xenium platform and advanced AI to accelerate drug target discovery and enable precision medicine. The collaboration enhances the company's research capabilities and global reach, but also carries inherent risks associated with research and development.

July 02, 2025 - 10x Genomics Inc. (Nasdaq: TXG) and the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR GIS) have announced a collaborative research project, TISHUMAP, aimed at profiling thousands of tumor samples to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer and inflammatory diseases. The initiative leverages 10x Genomics' Xenium platform and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to advance drug target discovery and enable precision medicine.

The TISHUMAP project will analyze up to 2,500 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) clinical tissue samples, including those from gastric, liver, and colorectal cancers [1]. Unlike traditional methods that require tissues to be broken down, the Xenium platform uniquely enables researchers to visualize gene activity directly within individual cells in intact tissues. This approach generates a comprehensive and precise molecular-level map, clearly illustrating how cells are positioned, interact, and function within their natural biological context [2].

The integration of advanced AI with this spatial data represents a powerful approach to identify patterns across large datasets. The collaboration includes developing custom gene panels specific to research questions and intelligent software pipelines to manage the enormous datasets generated [3]. This combination of hardware (Xenium platform) and software (AI analysis tools) creates a comprehensive ecosystem for spatial biology research that could significantly accelerate biomarker and drug target discovery.

From a translational perspective, this work could establish foundations for new diagnostic approaches and precision medicine strategies, particularly for the Asian cancer types being studied, which often have distinct molecular profiles compared to Western populations [4]. The collaboration spans both data generation and analysis stages, including tailored gene panels designed for specific research questions and intelligent software pipelines for efficient management of large datasets.

While this collaboration enhances 10x Genomics' research capabilities and global reach, it also carries inherent risks associated with research and development. The success of the project depends on the ability to effectively integrate advanced AI with spatial biology data, and the potential for unexpected challenges in data analysis and interpretation.

References:
[1] https://www.the-scientist.com/10x-genomics-and-a-star-genome-institute-of-singapore-launch-tishumap-study-to-advance-ai-driven-drug-target-discovery-73182
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/TXG/10x-genomics-and-a-star-genome-institute-of-singapore-launch-uys9novkgmv8.html
[3] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/10x-genomics-inc-and-a-star-genome-institute-of-singapore-launch-tishumap-study-to-advance-ai-driv-ce7c5cd9de80f124
[4] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/10x-genomics-and-astar-genome-institute-of-singapore-launch-tishumap-study-to-advance-ai-driven-drug-target-discovery-302507388.html