Sony subsidiary M3, which runs medical information websites, is teaming up with Illumina in a joint genome sequencing analysis venture, The Japan Times reports.
The venture will analyze genomic information from blood samples obtained from hospitals and other sources, the paper says. In addition, it will compile the genetic data — stripped of personal information — into databases and sell it to Japanese drugmakers and medical institutions. The Japan News adds that this is part of Sony's move to increase its operations in medicine.
Indeed, according to Asahi Shumbun, Sony President Kazuo Hirai said last October that the company plans to increase the sales of its medical business to $2.04 billion by 2020.