Reliance Industries is planning to enter another market-disrupting sector by offering genomic diagnostic tests at prices below Rs 1,000, a steep reduction from the current basic rates of around Rs 10,000. The move is aimed at making advanced genetic testing affordable and accessible to a much wider population.
To support this plan, the conglomerate is leveraging Strand Life Sciences, a Bengaluru-based firm it acquired in 2021 for Rs 393 crore, which is now leading Reliance’s genomics and diagnostics initiatives.
What is Genomic diagnostics?
Genomic diagnostics involves the analysis of a person’s DNA to diagnose diseases, assess health risks, and guide medical treatment. Unlike routine laboratory tests that focus on existing symptoms, genomic testing examines the underlying genetic code to identify changes that influence how diseases develop and respond to therapy.
This technology is widely used to detect cancers at an early stage, diagnose rare inherited disorders, screen pregnancies, and help doctors select the most effective medicines. Reliance plans to offer these tests at prices below Rs 1,000, marking a significant drop from current market rates.
Explaining the company’s vision, Nilesh Modi said “We would like to make an impact. This is kind of a Jio-fication in genomics, so that the tests can be accessed across all income groups. However, we have not fixed timelines. Our chairman (Mukesh Ambani) has given us the task.”
Main Focus is CancerSpot
A major focus area for the company is CancerSpot, a screening tool designed for the early detection of ten types of cancer, including breast, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Early detection through such tools can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates, making affordable access a key priority for Reliance’s healthcare strategy.
The move fits into Mukesh Ambani’s broader expansion plans in healthcare and life sciences. In May 2025, he announced an investment of Rs 75,000 crore in the North-East region, which includes setting up a state-of-the-art diagnostics laboratory in Guwahati and launching a genomic research partnership with Mizoram University.
Earlier, Reliance Life Sciences received approval to conduct Phase I and Phase III clinical trials for its biosimilar version of nivolumab, a drug used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Beyond healthcare, Reliance is also exploring the use of genomics in synthetic biology research. These efforts are aimed at developing next-generation agriculture solutions, nutritional foods, and biofuels derived from algae, highlighting the company’s long-term strategy to combine advanced science with large-scale affordability across multiple sectors.
