OXFORD, England & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2026--
Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the company delivering a new generation of molecular sensing technology based on nanopores, and A.D.A.M. Innovations (Japanese corporate name Genesis Healthcare Co.), one of Japan’s leading genetic testing companies, today announce an international collaboration to develop and deploy advanced genomic sequencing and medicine applications based on comprehensive, nanopore sequencing in Japan.
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In its initial phase, the collaboration has the potential to establish Oxford Nanopore’s information-rich, real-time sequencing technology across A.D.A.M. Innovations’ advanced genetic testing portfolio, enabling rapid and precise genomic testing across multiple disease areas. The goal of the collaboration is to introduce new clinical workflows under Japan-specific validation standards to support scalable sequencing of DNA fragments of any length for various conditions and diseases. Sequencing that captures complete genomic information will expand testing accuracy beyond what can be achieved through existing technologies.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today at the British Embassy in Tokyo, in an event supported by His Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Julia Longbottom said:“Oxford Nanopore Technologies and A.D.A.M. Innovations are showing how UK and Japanese expertise can come together to deliver real impact for patients. It is a real and practical application of the bilateral genomic collaboration envisaged by the UK and Japanese Governments under the 2024 UK–Japan Health Memorandum of Cooperation.”
Gretchen Weightman, VP Commercial and General Manager APAC atOxford Nanopore Technologies, commented: “ By joining forces with A.D.A.M. Innovations, we are helping to bring rapid, information-rich, and scalable sequencing directly into clinical pathways across a range of disease areas. This initiative not only strengthens scientific ties between the UK and Japan; it also opens the door to future multilateral efforts to accelerate the impact of genomics for patients across Japan. ”
“ We are pleased to begin this collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, whose innovative sequencing platform opens new possibilities for clinical genomics in Japan, ” said Michel Mommejat, President of A.D.A.M. Innovations. “ By enabling nanopore sequencing, we aim to enhance diagnostic capability and advance Japan’s genomic precision medicine . ”
Advancing genomic medicine and UK-Japan science collaboration
This collaboration brings together complementary strengths from the UK and Japan to expand genomic capabilities in Japan and support the country’s focus on earlier and more precise diagnosis. It aligns with the UK-Japan Health Memorandum of Cooperation and reflects a broader increase in bilateral life sciences collaboration supported by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). By connecting innovation ecosystems in the UK and Japan, the initiative strengthens industrial cooperation and accelerates translational research for real-world patient benefit.
About Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ vision is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The Company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology that is currently used for information-rich, rapid, accessible and affordable DNA and RNA analysis. The platform is also being developed for the analysis of proteins and metabolites. The technology is being used in more than 125 countries to understand the biology of humans, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and environments, as well as a range of diseases including cancer. Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ products are intended for molecular biology applications and are not intended for diagnostic purposes.
For more information, visit: www.nanoporetech.com
About A.D.A.M. Innovations Co.
Founded in 2004 in Tokyo, A.D.A.M. Innovations Co. (Japanese corporate name: Genesis Healthcare Co.) is a pioneer in genomics, AI, and precision health solutions. The company develops cutting-edge technologies spanning consumer genetics, clinical diagnostics, and AI-driven R&D data platforms. To date, A.D.A.M. Innovations has conducted more than 2.9 million genetic tests and maintains the largest R&D genomic database of the Japanese population.
For additional information, visitwww.adam-innovations.com
From left to right: Dr. Iri Sato Baran, Genesis Healthcare (A.D.A.M Innovations), Vice Chair of the Board Ambassador Julia Longbottom, British Embassy Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Michel Mommejat, Genesis Healthcare (A.D.A.M Innovations), CEO and Executive Director Gretchen Weightman, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Senior Vice President Commercial and General Manager APAC, Dr. Toshiharu Furukawa, LDP, Chair of Medical Information Policy and Genomic Medicine, House of Councillors, Hirokazu Shimoda, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Senior Director
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois voters are deciding primaries Tuesday for six open U.S. House and Senate seats that will spur a new generation of leadership in the state’s heavily Democratic congressional delegation.
The retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, has triggered a competitive campaign, drawing as candidates two sitting House members and the lieutenant governor, among others. Sharp elbows and furious fundraising have marked the race, which also is a test of the influence of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire whose name is floated as a 2028 presidential contender.
A spate of House retirements has led to open seats with crowded contests across the Chicago area. The stakes are high, with most primary winners in the Democratic stronghold expected to win in November.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and PACs supporting the cryptocurrency and AI industries also have spent big on several of the contests.
Here’s a look at the key races:
Ten Democrats and six Republicans are running after Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, announced his retirement after five terms.
Three top Democrats have emerged: Chicago-area U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Krishnamoorthi has dominated fundraising and the airwaves and was the first on television with ads in July. He started 2026 with over $15 million on hand after spending more than $6 million and raising more than $3.5 million in the final three months of last year, according to campaign finance records.
By comparison, Stratton started the year with $1 million after raising about the same amount and spending just under $1 million in the last three months of 2025. But last month Pritzker put $5 million in a super PAC largely aimed at helping get her elected.
She campaigned on Pritzker's endorsement and lit into Krishnamoorthi at debates, particularly on the five-term Democrat's voting record and donations from a contractor tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“That is not the example of somebody who’s going to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for all of our communities,” Stratton said during a debate in January. “I want to abolish ICE.”
Krishnamoorthi, who has called to dismantle the agency, said he donated the money to immigrant rights groups. He argued that Stratton zeroed in on him because she “didn’t have any policy ideas. She had to attack.”
Meanwhile Kelly has taken issue with Pritzker’s involvement, arguing that a sitting governor should not interfere.
Candidates have touted ties to iconic Chicagoans including President Barack Obama and the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died last month. However, an endorsement touted posthumously by Stratton caused a snag as Jackson's family withdrew it Monday, saying the draft wasn't meant for public release.
Election officials hope to see busy polls after turnout in the 2024 primary was 19%, the lowest in more than five decades.
Roosevelt Jones, 67, said his Social Security and public safety were at the forefront as he cast an early ballot for Stratton in Chicago recently.
“She seems to be the one to take care of things,” he said.
In the Republican primary, six candidates are on the ballot including Don Tracy, former Illinois Republican Party chairman, and attorney Jeannie Evans. Illinois last had a Republican in the Senate a decade ago, when Mark Kirk was defeated by current Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
Dozens of candidates are running for five open seats in the Chicago area where funding from groups supporting Israel and the cryptocurrency industry have played an outsized role.
Ten Democrats and one Republican are running in Kelly’s district, the 2nd, which spans parts of the South Side and suburbs and dips into the central Illinois farmlands. Among the Democrats are former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the late civil rights leader, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and state Sen. Robert Peters.
The open seat in Krishnamoorthi's suburban 8th District has attracted eight Democratic candidates including former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison.
Two other House members are retiring after long careers.
The 7th District of Rep. Danny Davis, who was first elected in 1996, covers parts of downtown, the West Side and suburbs. Democratic front-runners to replace him include state Rep. La Shawn Ford, City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, developer Jason Friedman and Kina Collins, a community organizer. Two Republicans are running.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky is also retiring, after 14 terms, and the primary field for her 9th District seat is the most crowded. Among the 15 Democratic candidates are Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine. Four Republicans are running.
Another open seat is that of Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who announced he would not seek reelection citing health reasons. The primary is uncontested after Garcia quietly schemed to place his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who is not related to the congressman, on the ballot before a critical deadline. The move assured that no other Democrat would have time to circulate petitions. Then he withdrew.
Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune who is unopposed in his primary, is the first governor to seek a third term since the 1980s.
One of President Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, Pritzker used a campaign ad this month to highlight efforts to oppose the aggressive federal immigration crackdown in Chicago last year.
“I will always stand up for the law and the constitution,” he said. “Because that’s what we do in the state of Illinois.”
Pritzker has also made digs at Republican candidate Darren Bailey, a former state senator whom he handily defeated in 2022.
Bailey, among four Republicans vying for the nomination, says he is doing things differently. For one, he focused more on Chicago voters by choosing running mate Aaron Del Mar, who leads the Republican Party in Cook County.
Bailey has criticized Pritzker’s leadership, including blaming him for rising costs.
“He’s just another billionaire who has never once felt the pain he’s inflicted,” he said.
Also in the Republican primary are Ted Dabrowski, a real estate developer; Rick Heidner, a video gambling magnate; and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.
Patty García speaks during a news conference to announce her candidacy for the fourth district congressional race, Nov. 12, 2025, in Cicero, Ill. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
