New short-read sequencing platforms
Challengers to Illumina promising cheaper genomes, which matters for making tumour sequencing routine.
Ultima Genomics (UG 100, sub-$100 genome claims), Element Biosciences (AVITI), Roche's sequencing-by-expansion (SBX, launched 2025-26), MGI/Complete Genomics, and Singular Genomics compete with Illumina's NovaSeq X. Lower cost per gigabase enables whole-genome tumour-normal sequencing, high-depth ctDNA, and single-cell studies at scale; clinical validation and installed base still favour Illumina.
How it works
Massively parallel sequencing-by-synthesis or expansion chemistry with optical or electronic readout on flow cells or open wafers.
- Falling cost per genome
- Competition drives assay innovation
- Clinical assay revalidation on new platforms
- Ecosystem lock-in
Latest papers
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