• SPT Labtech to develop an automated sample preparation platform for Illumina to further optimise the efficiency and benefits of genomic workflows in decentralised healthcare settings
• Builds on success of existing partnership including development of automated library preparation methods on SPT Labtech’s firefly^® platform
• The novel platform will enable decentralized labs to access the same level of automation, precision and reproducibility as large core facilities

SPT Labtech, a global leader in the design and development of laboratory automation and liquid handling solutions, today announced a strategic collaboration with Illumina to develop a novel automated sample preparation platform designed to streamline and standardise genomics workflows across decentralised healthcare environments.

The collaboration will focus on helping labs support improved patient care in oncology by enabling broader access to high-quality genomic characterisation of disease. By bringing advanced automation to laboratories of all sizes and settings, the collaboration aims to accelerate the delivery of actionable insights from sample to result.

The platform will support laboratories using Illumina’s MiSeq i100 benchtop sequencing system, which makes high-quality next-generation sequencing (NGS) more accessible to labs around the world. The solution is designed to provide standardised, automated workflows that enable laboratories to achieve rapid, high-quality insights closer to where critical decisions are being made. 

Rob Walton, Chief Executive Officer at SPT Labtech, said: “This next phase of collaboration with Illumina reflects our shared focus on enabling efficient and accessible genomics workflows, further expanding SPT Labtech’s presence in the clinical genomics market. With the rapid global adoption of Illumina’s MiSeq i100 platform and the recent shipment of its 1,000th system, there is a growing demand from laboratories seeking to perform their sequencing operations in-house, thereby maximizing control and reducing turnaround times. By combining our expertise in automation and sequencing, we are well positioned to help laboratories adopt advanced genomics workflows within decentralised healthcare settings.”

Todd Christian, senior vice president of Services, Arrays, and Genomic Access at Illumina commented: “Labs around the world rely on Illumina for high-quality, reliable insights and end-to-end workflows that make it easier for them to unlock crucial genomic insights faster. This collaboration builds on that history and doubles down on our commitment to expand access to next-generation sequencing for labs of all sizes, ultimately enabling researchers and clinicians to drive breakthroughs that matter for the patients they serve.”