The secret to better global health is in our genes

All stories

Topics:

Science and Innovation

Teams and partnerships

How AstraZeneca is working to transform drug discovery with insights from communities around the world

A riddle has challenged researchers throughout medicine’s modern era: why are some individuals at higher risk of developing life-threatening diseases than others? The answer is often waiting to be discovered in their biology. By collaborating with global research partners, we’re working to solve this puzzle for all patients.

Jesús Alegre-Díaz, a faculty member at Mexico's National Autonomous University, dedicated much of his career to treating patients with diabetes and witnessed first-hand how patients of Indigenous Mexican ancestry more frequently developed type 2 diabetes than other populations, even those with similar obesity levels. 

As a principal investigator with the Mexico City Prospective Study (MCPS), one of Latin America’s largest genetic databases with more than 150,000 participants, he had access to a wealth of information that could expand our understanding of diabetes biology. In one study, he collaborated with AstraZeneca scientists and, together, they made a compelling discovery: genetic variants in the MAP3K15 gene significantly lowered type 2 diabetes risk. These variants were found to be more common in people with European genetic ancestry compared to Latin American ancestry.1

Insights like these can transform how we think about prevention and treatment—not just in Latin America, but globally. By broadening our research database, we uncover insights that could benefit us all. Ignoring this blind spot can mean the difference between a treatment that works and one that doesn’t for millions of people.

Jesús Alegre-Díaz Faculty member at Mexico's National Autonomous University

Technological breakthroughs have cut genomic sequencing costs from $100 million2 to $100 or less per genome.3 This reduced cost, paired with advances in global partnerships and community engagement, has enabled researchers to address this blind spot at scale.

Solving for the genetic gap in research

AstraZeneca’s Centre for Genomics Research (CGR) is focused on ensuring representation of global populations within our genomics datasets across chronic, rare and cancer-related diseases. So far, the CGR has collected more than 1.7 million genomes with linked health record data, including 39% from people of non-European genetic ancestries—around four times the global average.4

Through international collaborations, we continue to expand the scale and diversity of the genomic data that underpins our research. It’s by building this comprehensive foundation that we’re able to broaden the reach and impact of our therapies to better serve communities around the world.

To truly understand human biology, we need to study all humans. Already, this has led to numerous discoveries that simply would not have been possible otherwise.5,6 The future we have been waiting for since the sequencing of the first human genome has arrived. We have the technology, the tools, the data, and the expertise. It’s a powerful time for drug discovery.

Slavé Petrovski Vice President, Centre for Genomics Research (CGR), AstraZeneca

Global partnerships for global impact

Our approach to diversifying our genomic datasets relies on strategic partnerships across 19 countries, such as our collaboration with MCPS in Latin America. 

In the US, the CGR also partners with Together for CHANGE, a 10-year initiative that seeks to create one of the largest African ancestry genomics databases. With up to 500,000 participants, researchers are closing a scientific gap for this community.  

Despite our knowledge of how important diversity in genomic datasets is, less than 2% of all genomes that have been sequenced come from people of African ancestry.

James Hildreth Sr. President and CEO of Meharry Medical College

According to Hildreth, “Together for CHANGE represents a unique and historic partnership,” bringing together academia, industry partners including AstraZeneca, healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers. 

One of CGR’s newest partnerships,​ ​with the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health in China, focuses on chronic respiratory diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers are studying the molecular landscape of these conditions in Chinese patients from different regions to understand how certain biological features are more common and how treatment effectiveness may vary.

From missing pieces to doing right by more people

As Hildreth pointed out, studying the genetics of certain populations can yield insights that help people within and outside of their community. “By focusing on making sure our datasets are inclusive, everyone benefits,” he said. 

Consider chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that disproportionally affects those of African descent.8 Back in 2008, researchers uncovered genetic variants in the APOL1 gene, a gene that is more common among people of Western and Central African ancestry, that can increase susceptibility to CKD.9 Findings like this aren’t possible without the participation and engagement of communities of all genetic backgrounds.   

The data are clear. This approach is not only an ethical imperative but a scientific one. If we want to solve the puzzle of why some people are at higher risk of developing life-threatening diseases than others, it starts with finding the right pieces – biological insights from people around the world – to bring the answers into focus. By working with partners across borders, we are advancing research for the benefit of people everywhere.

View all stories

References:

  1. ScienceAdvances, Vol 8, No 46, ‘Human genetics uncovers MAP3K15 as an obesity-independent therapeutic target for diabetes’ A. Nag et al. Human genetics uncovers MAP3K15 as an obesity-independent therapeutic target for diabetes | Science Advances, last accessed 11/12/25.
  2. National Human Genome Research Institute , ‘The cost of sequencing a human genome,’  https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Sequencing-Human-Genome-cost.
  3. Front Line Genomics, ‘The $100 Genome: Where’s the Limit?’ L. Fletcher, March 26, 2025,The $100 Genome: Where’s the Limit?, last accessed 10/03/25.
  4. Mills, M.C., Rahal, C. The GWAS Diversity Monitor tracks diversity by disease in real time. Nat Genet 52, 242–243 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-020-0580-y
  5. Han, A.L., Sands, C.F., Matelska, D. et al. Diverse ancestral representation improves genetic intolerance metrics. Nat Commun 16, 2648 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57885-5, last accessed 10/09/25.
  6. Wen, S., Kuri-Morales, P., Hu, F. et al. Comparative analysis of the Mexico City Prospective Study and the UK Biobank identifies ancestry-specific effects on clonal hematopoiesis. Nat Genet 57, 572–582 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02085-6, last accessed 10/09/25.
  7. Garg, M., Karpinski, M., Matelska, D. et al. Disease prediction with multi-omics and biomarkers empowers case–control genetic discoveries in the UK Biobank. Nat Genet 56, 1821–1831 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01898-1
  8. American Kidney Fund, Understanding kidney disease risks: Race and ethnicity, https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors/understanding-kidney-disease-risks-race-and-ethnicity, last accessed 10/09/25.
  9. National Kidney Foundation, APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD), https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/apol1-mediated-kidney-disease-amkd, last accessed 10/09/25.

Veeva ID: Z4-78905
Date of preparation: November 2025