• SPT Labtech to develop an automated sample preparation platform for Illumina to further optimize the efficiency and benefits of genomic workflows in decentralized 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

Cambridge, UK — 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 standardize genomics workflows across decentralized healthcare environments.

The collaboration will focus on helping labs support improved patient care in oncology by enabling broader access to high-quality genomic characterization 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 standardized, 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 decentralized 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.”

Rob Walton, CEO, SPT Labtech

Todd Christian, senior vice president of Services, Arrays, and Genomic Access, Illumina

About SPT Labtech https://www.sptlabtech.com/

SPT Labtech’s solutions are built to accelerate progress in genomics where demand for high-throughput and cost-effective workflows is ever-increasing. The company specializes in developing compact, user-friendly liquid handling platforms that specifically address the challenges of genomics applications, particularly in next-generation sequencing (NGS). Their flagship firefly platform simplifies complex workflows like NGS library preparation by integrating multiple functions—such as pipetting, dispensing, and incubating—into a single benchtop unit. Through strategic collaborations with key industry partners, SPT Labtech ensures its technologies are validated and optimized for a wide range of genomic chemistries, further cementing its position as a vital player in empowering genomics labs to achieve greater efficiency, reproducibility, and innovation.