Precision Diagnostics Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Liverpool to Advance DPYD Pharmacogenomics and Safer Precision Cancer Care
Precision Diagnostics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Liverpool to advance collaborative research in pharmacogenomics, personalised prescribing, and safer precision cancer care.
The collaboration will be led with Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, NHS Chair of Pharmacogenetics and David Weatherall Chair of Medicine at the University of Liverpool. Professor Sir Munir is internationally recognised for his leadership in pharmacogenomics, adverse drug reactions, clinical pharmacology, and personalised medicine, with research that has shaped safer and more individualised prescribing practices worldwide.
Research Leadership
The MoU strengthens scientific collaboration between Malaysia and the United Kingdom and reflects a shared commitment to translating pharmacogenomic evidence into clinically meaningful, patient-centred treatment pathways. It also supports Precision Diagnostics’ mission to advance evidence-based precision medicine through international research collaboration, clinical implementation, and responsible genomic innovation.
Under the agreement, Precision Diagnostics’ CEO, Dr Rebecca Tay, together with Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ibrahim A. Wahid, Advisor to Precision Diagnostics, will serve as Principal Investigators for the Malaysia-led component of the collaboration. Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed will serve as Chief Investigator, providing international scientific leadership for the DPYD pharmacogenomics initiative.
Advancing DPYD Pharmacogenomics
The collaboration will focus on advancing DPYD pharmacogenomics to improve the safety of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, including 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine, which are widely used in the treatment of solid tumours. While these therapies remain important in oncology care, patients carrying certain DPYD genetic variants may have a substantially increased risk of severe treatment-related toxicity. Genotype-guided prescribing offers an important opportunity to identify higher-risk patients before treatment, support personalised dose optimisation, and reduce preventable adverse drug reactions.
International clinical guidelines increasingly support DPYD testing before fluoropyrimidine therapy to help clinicians tailor treatment decisions and improve patient safety. Through this collaboration, Precision Diagnostics and the University of Liverpool aim to support research development, scientific exchange, and the responsible translation of pharmacogenomic insights into real-world clinical practice.
Strengthening Precision Medicine Across Asia-Pacific
The MoU also supports broader implementation of precision medicine in Malaysia and across the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on evidence-based cancer care, medication safety, clinical governance, and clinically actionable genomics. By connecting world-leading pharmacogenomics expertise with regional implementation capability, the collaboration aims to strengthen pathways for safer, more personalised cancer treatment.
This agreement further expands Precision Diagnostics’ international research network and reinforces its commitment to bringing high-impact genomic innovation closer to healthcare professionals, patients, and healthcare systems. Through strategic collaboration with leading academic and clinical experts, Precision Diagnostics continues to support the development of precision medicine solutions that improve treatment outcomes and reduce avoidable harm.
About Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed is NHS Chair of Pharmacogenetics and David Weatherall Chair of Medicine at the University of Liverpool. His work spans pharmacogenomics, adverse drug reactions, clinical pharmacology, drug safety, and personalised prescribing. He is internationally recognised for research that has shaped pharmacogenomic-guided prescribing and continues to influence standards for safer, more personalised medicine worldwide.
About Precision Diagnostics
Precision Diagnostics is a precision medicine and genomic diagnostics organisation committed to translating advances in genomics into clinically meaningful healthcare solutions supported by clinical governance. Through its work in pharmacogenomics, precision oncology, genomic testing, clinical implementation, and international scientific collaboration, Precision Diagnostics aims to support safer, more personalised, and evidence-based patient care across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.
