SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 27, 2025 – Roche has announced a new strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs, aiming to accelerate the adoption of its next-generation Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology, with an initial focus on trio-based whole genome sequencing for critically ill newborns and their biological parents. The partnership signifies a pivotal move in expanding genomics-enabled healthcare and precision medicine at scale.
This joint initiative is poised to establish SBX as a clinical mainstay in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), helping identify genetic disorders in newborns with unprecedented speed and precision. It also positions both organizations to lead in delivering fast, scalable, and cost-efficient genomic insights that could redefine diagnostic and therapeutic practices.
Targeting Transformational Impact in Clinical Genomics
The first major endeavor under the partnership will be to integrate SBX technology into routine neonatal care. By sequencing the genomes of newborns alongside those of their parents, clinicians can more rapidly diagnose conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease—conditions where early intervention can significantly improve 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.”
Leveraging Broad’s Research Legacy
Broad Clinical Labs, a subsidiary of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, brings deep expertise in omics and whole genome sequencing, having already sequenced over 750,000 human genomes. This collaboration allows Broad to further leverage its leadership by becoming early adopters of SBX for both clinical and research use.
“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.”
SBX: A Leap Forward in Sequencing Efficiency and Flexibility
SBX represents Roche’s most advanced next-generation sequencing innovation. It utilizes a high-throughput CMOS sensor module to enable real-time base calling and analysis. Its design allows:
- Ultra-rapid sequencing suitable for urgent clinical settings
- High flexibility across a wide range of project sizes
- Scalable architecture optimized for both clinical and research applications
- Compatibility with whole genome, exome, and RNA sequencing
These features make SBX especially well-suited for NICUs, where time-sensitive genomic analysis can mean the difference between life and death.
Expanding Applications Beyond the NICU
Beyond neonatal care, the collaboration will explore SBX's use in RNA sequencing, including bulk and single-cell approaches. Its longer read lengths offer the potential to extract novel molecular insights and unlock new therapeutic targets. This aspect of the project connects to the Broad Institute’s pioneering efforts in single-cell analysis, aligning with the broader industry movement toward multi-omic and precision medicine solutions.
Toward a Genomics-Enabled Healthcare Future
The collaboration underscores a shared vision: to make advanced sequencing accessible as a standard clinical tool and to accelerate biomedical discovery. With Roche’s diagnostic capabilities and Broad Clinical Labs’ scientific depth, this initiative is positioned to influence both the diagnostics industry and translational research landscapes globally.
Learn more at www.roche.com and www.broadclinicallabs.org.