Roche and Broad Clinical Labs Collaborate to Advance SBX Sequencing Technology

Roche has partnered with Broad Clinical Labs to develop pilot applications using its next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform, Sequencing By Expansion (SBX). The collaboration aims to transform clinical genomics, starting with trio-based whole genome sequencing for critically ill newborns and their parents. Broad Clinical Labs will implement SBX in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to accelerate diagnoses for genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

Roche’s SBX platform, designed to exceed limitations of traditional sequencing, offers fast turnaround, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Its workflow is tailored for high-demand clinical and multi-omic research settings. The partnership will also explore RNA sequencing, both single-cell and bulk, leveraging SBX's longer read lengths to uncover disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets.

Researchers at the Broad Institute will be among the first users of the system. SBX was originally developed by Stratos Genomics co-founders Mark Kokoris and Robert McRuer.

02-06-2025