BD and Opentrons Collaborate to Accelerate Single-Cell Multiomics Discoveries with Robotic Automation

Rhea-AI Summary

BD (NYSE: BDX) and Opentrons announced a multi-year collaboration on Oct 8, 2025 to integrate Opentrons robotic liquid-handling into BD single-cell multiomics instruments.

The partnership intends to integrate the BD Rhapsody System with the Opentrons Flex platform, develop verified protocols, and build an automation-compatible module to automate next-generation sequencing library preparation and cell capture, enabling hands-free workflows and scaling to million-cell studies.

Early access opportunities will be available and both companies will present details at the ASHG Annual Meeting, Oct 14–18, 2025 (BD Booth 447; Opentrons Booth 635).

Positive

• Multi-year collaboration announced on Oct 8, 2025
• Integration of BD Rhapsody with Opentrons Flex platform
• Automation module for library preparation and cell capture
• Supports million-cell study workflows
• Early access program announced for labs at ASHG Oct 14–18, 2025

Negative

• None.

Insights

Strategic Partnerships Analyst

Multi-year collaboration pairs BD's single-cell platforms with Opentrons' robotics to scale and automate multiomics workflows.

Combining BD single-cell instruments, including the BD Rhapsody™ HT Xpress System, with the Opentrons Flex® platform creates a clear channel to move manual sample-prep steps into hands-free automation. The plan to develop verified protocols and an automation-compatible module for next-generation sequencing library preparation and cell capture directly addresses throughput and reproducibility barriers in large studies such as million-cell experiments.

Key dependencies include successful technical integration, protocol validation, and uptake through the announced early access program. Watch for demonstration outcomes at the October 14-18, 2025 ASHG meeting and any published validation data from early access sites within the next 6-12 months. The collaboration should materially affect lab workflows if integrations prove robust and protocols become broadly available.

Laboratory Automation Technical Analyst

Integration targets automation of library prep and cell capture to improve scale, speed, and reproducibility for single-cell multiomics.

The technical scope focuses on integrating liquid-handling robotics with existing single-cell capture and library-prep steps. Automating those specific steps can reduce manual variation and increase throughput when paired with validated protocols. The announcement explicitly names the BD Rhapsody™ System and the Opentrons Flex® platform, and promises verified protocols and an automation-compatible module.

Risks include the need for tight hardware-software interfacing and successful verification across real-world sample types. Monitor availability of the automation module, published protocol verification, and early access feedback reported after the October 14-18, 2025 ASHG meeting as practical milestones over the next 3-12 months.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, and Opentrons Labworks, Inc., recognized worldwide for accessible lab automation with more than 10,000 robotic systems deployed, today announced a multi-year collaboration. Together, BD and Opentrons will integrate robotic liquid-handling capabilities into BD single-cell multiomics instruments, automating critical experimental steps to accelerate and scale disease research and drug development.

"By revealing the multiple layers of biological information within cells, the field of single-cell multiomics is quickly transforming research in oncology, immunology and beyond – and automation can further accelerate adoption especially in translational and biopharma settings," said Ranga Partha, PhD, VP/GM of Global Marketing and Strategic Growth Areas, BD Biosciences. "By integrating robotics with our instruments – including the BD Rhapsody® HT Xpress System which enables million-cell studies – we are helping scientists access potentially life-changing insights with greater speed, scale and reproducibility."

The companies intend to integrate the BD Rhapsody™ System with the Opentrons Flex® platform, as well as develop verified protocols, allowing scientists to perform hands-free workflows with their single-cell multiomics experiments. A cornerstone of the collaboration is the development of an automation-compatible module for the BD Rhapsody™ System that will enable the steps of next-generation sequencing library preparation and cell capture to be automated.

"This collaboration brings together the long-standing expertise of BD in the field of single-cell multiomics with the flexible and open automation ecosystem of Opentrons," said James Atwood, PhD, CEO of Opentrons Labworks. "By combining our hardware platforms, we are making it easier and more cost-effective for labs everywhere, across basic and translational research, to perform cutting-edge single-cell sequencing at scale."

Early access opportunities for interested labs will be available soon. To learn more about the collaboration and the early access program, visit Opentrons (Booth 635) and BD (Booth 447) at the upcoming American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting in Boston, from October 14-18, 2025. Additional information is also available at opentrons.com and bdbiosciences.com.

About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its more than 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X (formerly Twitter) @BDandCo or Instagram @becton_dickinson. 

About Opentrons
Opentrons Labworks, Inc., a disruptive life science company and the current market leader in entry-level lab automation, accelerates innovation in research and healthcare through its integrated lab platform. Opentrons has raised over $200 million in funding and achieved unicorn status based on its innovative technologies. The Opentrons Flex® is Opentrons' newest generation of liquid-handling lab robots, offering open-source accessibility and compatibility with generative AI tools. Opentrons provides thousands of institutions with flexible, easy-to-use lab robots, automating R&D operations and making a vast open-source library accessible to life sciences researchers worldwide. Opentrons is used in labs at the top 20 academic universities in the US and 14 of 15 leading global biopharmaceutical companies. Learn more at https://opentrons.com/.

Contacts:
Media:	Investors:
For BD:
Fallon McLoughlin	Adam Reiffe
Director, Public Relations	VP, Investor Relations
201.258.0361	201.847.6927
fallon.mcloughlin@bd.com	adam.reiffe@bd.com
For Opentrons:
press@opentrons.com

 

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SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

FAQ

What did BD (BDX) and Opentrons announce on Oct 8, 2025?

They announced a multi-year collaboration to integrate Opentrons robotics into BD single-cell multiomics instruments.

How will the BD Rhapsody System change with the Opentrons integration?

The companies intend to integrate BD Rhapsody with Opentrons Flex and add an automation-compatible module for library prep and cell capture.

What investor-relevant scale does BD cite for the Rhapsody system?

BD highlights the Rhapsody HT Xpress capability to enable million-cell studies.

When and where can labs learn about BD and Opentrons early access?

Early access details will be available at the ASHG Annual Meeting, Oct 14–18, 2025, at BD Booth 447 and Opentrons Booth 635.

What workflows will be automated by the collaboration?

The collaboration targets automation of next-generation sequencing library preparation and cell capture steps for single-cell multiomics.

How many Opentrons robotic systems are deployed today, per the announcement?

Opentrons is stated to have deployed more than 10,000 robotic systems worldwide.