Roche announces new collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge SBX sequencing technology
Roche (RHHBY) has announced a strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to develop and implement applications using Roche's next-generation Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) technology. The initial focus will be on trio-based whole genome sequencing for critically ill newborns and their biological parents in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), aiming to enable faster diagnosis of genetic disorders.
The collaboration will explore integrating SBX technology into routine clinical practice and research applications. The technology offers ultra-fast turnaround times, exceptional scalability, and cost efficiency. Additionally, the partnership will investigate SBX capabilities for RNA sequencing, including bulk and single-cell approaches, to gain novel molecular insights for disease understanding and therapeutic target identification.
Roche (RHHBY) ha annunciato una collaborazione strategica con Broad Clinical Labs per sviluppare e implementare applicazioni basate sulla tecnologia di nuova generazione Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) di Roche. L'obiettivo iniziale sarà il sequenziamento completo del genoma di trio, comprendente neonati gravemente malati e i loro genitori biologici nelle unità di terapia intensiva neonatale (NICU), per consentire una diagnosi più rapida delle malattie genetiche.
La collaborazione esplorerà l'integrazione della tecnologia SBX nella pratica clinica di routine e nelle applicazioni di ricerca. Questa tecnologia garantisce tempi di risposta ultra-rapidi, eccezionale scalabilità ed efficienza nei costi. Inoltre, la partnership valuterà le potenzialità di SBX per il sequenziamento dell'RNA, sia in modalità bulk che a singola cellula, al fine di ottenere nuove conoscenze molecolari per comprendere le malattie e identificare obiettivi terapeutici.
Roche (RHHBY) ha anunciado una colaboración estratégica con Broad Clinical Labs para desarrollar e implementar aplicaciones utilizando la tecnología de nueva generación Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) de Roche. El enfoque inicial será la secuenciación del genoma completo basada en trío para recién nacidos críticamente enfermos y sus padres biológicos en unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN), con el objetivo de permitir un diagnóstico más rápido de trastornos genéticos.
La colaboración explorará la integración de la tecnología SBX en la práctica clínica rutinaria y en aplicaciones de investigación. La tecnología ofrece tiempos de respuesta ultra rápidos, una escalabilidad excepcional y eficiencia en costos. Además, la asociación investigará las capacidades de SBX para la secuenciación de ARN, incluyendo enfoques de grupo y de célula única, para obtener nuevos conocimientos moleculares sobre la comprensión de enfermedades y la identificación de objetivos terapéuticos.
로슈 (RHHBY)는 브로드 클리니컬 랩스와 전략적 협력을 발표하여 로슈의 차세대 Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) 기술을 활용한 애플리케이션 개발 및 구현에 나섭니다. 초기 집중 분야는 신생아 집중 치료실(NICU)에 있는 중증 신생아와 그 생물학적 부모를 대상으로 한 3인 가족 전체 유전체 시퀀싱으로, 유전 질환의 신속한 진단을 목표로 합니다.
이번 협력은 SBX 기술을 일상 임상 실무와 연구 애플리케이션에 통합하는 방안을 모색합니다. 이 기술은 초고속 처리 시간, 뛰어난 확장성, 비용 효율성을 제공합니다. 또한 파트너십은 벌크 및 단일 세포 접근법을 포함한 RNA 시퀀싱을 위한 SBX 기능을 조사하여 질병 이해와 치료 표적 발굴을 위한 새로운 분자적 통찰을 얻고자 합니다.
Roche (RHHBY) a annoncé une collaboration stratégique avec Broad Clinical Labs pour développer et mettre en œuvre des applications utilisant la technologie de nouvelle génération Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) de Roche. L'objectif initial portera sur le séquençage complet du génome en trio pour les nouveau-nés gravement malades et leurs parents biologiques dans les unités de soins intensifs néonatals (USIN), afin de permettre un diagnostic plus rapide des troubles génétiques.
La collaboration explorera l'intégration de la technologie SBX dans la pratique clinique courante et les applications de recherche. Cette technologie offre des délais d'exécution ultra-rapides, une évolutivité exceptionnelle et une efficacité économique. De plus, le partenariat étudiera les capacités de SBX pour le séquençage de l'ARN, y compris les approches en masse et à cellule unique, afin d'obtenir de nouvelles connaissances moléculaires pour mieux comprendre les maladies et identifier des cibles thérapeutiques.
Roche (RHHBY) hat eine strategische Zusammenarbeit mit Broad Clinical Labs angekündigt, um Anwendungen mit der nächsten Generation der Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) Technologie von Roche zu entwickeln und umzusetzen. Der anfängliche Fokus liegt auf der Trio-basierten Ganzgenomsequenzierung von kritisch kranken Neugeborenen und deren biologischen Eltern auf neonatologischen Intensivstationen (NICUs), mit dem Ziel, eine schnellere Diagnose genetischer Erkrankungen zu ermöglichen.
Die Zusammenarbeit wird die Integration der SBX-Technologie in die routinemäßige klinische Praxis und Forschungsanwendungen untersuchen. Die Technologie bietet ultraschnelle Durchlaufzeiten, außergewöhnliche Skalierbarkeit und Kosteneffizienz. Zusätzlich wird die Partnerschaft die SBX-Fähigkeiten für RNA-Sequenzierung, einschließlich Bulk- und Einzelzellansätzen, erforschen, um neue molekulare Einblicke für das Verständnis von Krankheiten und die Identifizierung therapeutischer Ziele zu gewinnen.
- Partnership with prestigious Broad Clinical Labs (MIT/Harvard) enhances market credibility and adoption potential
- SBX technology offers competitive advantages: ultra-fast turnaround, scalability, and cost efficiency
- Initial focus on NICU applications represents entry into critical healthcare segment
- Technology capabilities extend to RNA sequencing, expanding market opportunities
- None.
- The strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs will explore and develop applications using Roche’s SBX sequencing technology1, with an initial focus on critically ill newborns and their parents.
- Whole genome sequencing can help diagnose babies with suspected genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.
- This project will explore how this technology could become part of routine clinical practice for newborns, as well as its use in other research applications.
Basel, 23 May 2025 – Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today a strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to develop and pilot groundbreaking applications using Roche’s recently unveiled next-generation sequencing (NGS) Sequencing By Expansion (SBX) technology. This collaboration will focus on harnessing the power of the SBX technology to transform clinical genomics and biomedical discovery. It will also aim to establish the SBX technology as a routine offering for fast, scalable sequencing for Broad Clinical Lab’s research community.
The first project will see Broad Clinical Labs using the SBX technology to advance research into trio-based whole genome sequencing of critically ill newborns and their biological parents. This program aims to establish a future state where whole genome sequencing becomes a routine component of clinical care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) —enabling precise, timely diagnoses and improved outcomes for infants with suspected genetic disorders.
“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.”
“Integrating the SBX technology into clinical and translational pipelines opens exciting new possibilities,” said Niall Lennon, Chair and CSO at Broad Clinical Labs. “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 technology represents a significant leap forward in next-generation sequencing, offering ultra-fast turnaround times, exceptional scalability, and cost efficiency across a range of sequencing applications. The SBX technology has been tailored to deliver high-throughput performance with a flexible workflow that will support rapid deployment in time-sensitive settings like neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and comprehensive multi-omic discovery research.
The collaboration will also explore the capabilities of the SBX technology for RNA sequencing, including both bulk and single-cell approaches. These efforts will focus on leveraging the longer reads of the SBX technology to unlock novel molecular insights and data types that could reshape how researchers understand disease mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets. Broad Clinical Labs is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Broad Institute researchers, who have led the field in the development and application of single cell methods across a range of biomedical areas, will be the early users to leverage the new system.
The collaboration between Roche and Broad Clinical Labs reflects a shared vision of a genomics-enabled healthcare system and reinforces both organizations’ commitment to advancing precision medicine at scale.
About Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology
Roche's groundbreaking next-generation sequencing technology is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional sequencing methods. As well as high accuracy, it also offers an unparalleled combination of flexibility and speed, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of genomic applications.
One of the key benefits of the SBX technology is its scalability. The chemistry is coupled with an advanced, high-throughput CMOS sensor module that enables ultra-rapid, real-time base calls and analysis. This module is designed to process numerous samples simultaneously, creating a highly scalable and flexible architecture for cost-efficient sequencing across different project sizes, from small-scale studies to large projects involving thousands of samples.
This versatility makes the SBX technology suitable for a variety of applications, including whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing. As a result, it holds promise not only for research laboratories but also eventually for clinical settings where detailed genomic insights are crucial. With SBX technology, researchers can meet new and evolving research demands efficiently, paving the way for significant advances in our understanding of genetics and disease, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes.
The SBX chemistry was invented by Mark Kokoris and Robert McRuer who co-founded Stratos Genomics. Stratos Genomics was acquired by Roche in 2020. To find out more about Roche’s novel SBX technology, click here.
About Broad Clinical Labs
Broad Clinical Laboratories was founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of Broad Institute, Inc. to accelerate the world toward a better understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of disease by pursuing projects, developing products, and driving adoption of cutting edge -omics technologies and novel molecular assays. Broad Clinical Labs is a leader in human whole genome sequencing, having sequenced over 750,000 genomes in service of its mission to accelerate the understanding and diagnosis of human disease. For more information, please visit www.broadclinicallabs.org
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.
For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche’s business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
References
[1] The SBX technology is in development and not commercially available. The content of this material reflects current study results or design goals.
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