Roche partners with Broad Clinical Labs for neonatal genome sequencing initiative
Roche has announced a strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to develop clinical applications for its Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology, with an initial focus on whole genome sequencing for critically ill newborns and their biological parents. The partnership aims to establish genomic sequencing as routine clinical practice in neonatal intensive care units.
Clinical genomics in critical care
The collaboration will pilot trio-based whole genome sequencing to enable precise, timely diagnoses for infants with suspected genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. This initiative represents an effort to integrate advanced genomic technologies into time-sensitive clinical environments where rapid diagnosis can significantly impact patient outcomes.
“The SBX technology was designed with both clinical impact and scientific discovery in mind, and offers the next-generation of fast, scalable sequencing solutions,” said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “Collaborating with Broad Clinical Labs, a leader in clinical genomics and omics research, accelerates our ability to deliver on that promise and support better outcomes for patients through cutting-edge genomic technology.”
Technical advantages of SBX platform
The SBX technology employs an advanced CMOS sensor module enabling ultra-rapid, real-time base calling and analysis. This architecture supports simultaneous processing of numerous samples, creating scalable infrastructure for cost-efficient sequencing across varying project sizes. The platform’s versatility extends to whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing applications.
Niall Lennon, Chair and CSO at Broad Clinical Labs, noted: “Integrating the SBX technology into clinical and translational pipelines opens exciting new possibilities. Together with Roche, we’re aiming to demonstrate how fast, scalable, and high-quality sequencing can support both routine clinical care and drive biomedical innovation.”
The SBX chemistry originated from Stratos Genomics, which Roche acquired in 2020.
