#USA #Salt Lake City #Agilent Technologies #Wasatch BioLabs #dTMS platform

Wasatch BioLabs and Agilent Technologies Join Forces for Targeted Sequencing

In a pivotal move to advance genomic research, Wasatch BioLabs (WBL) has officially announced a co-marketing agreement with Agilent Technologies. This strategic collaboration aims to bolster the adoption of WBL's innovative Direct Targeted Methylation Sequencing (dTMS) platform, a game-changer in the field of native, long-read sequencing and epigenomic analysis.

The partnership integrates Agilent's cutting-edge enrichment chemistries, specifically the SureSelect for genomic DNA and the Avida for cell-free DNA, with WBL's proprietary Oxford Nanopore-based native-read workflow. This conjunction significantly expands access to scalable targeted multi-omic analysis, catering to both research use only (RUO) and clinical studies.

Enhancing Precision in Native-Read Sequencing

Agilent’s SureSelect and Avida technologies play a critical role in addressing the limitations often faced in native-read sequencing. They enable precise custom targeting of up to 1 megabyte, while maintaining the integrity of critical native DNA features, which include methylation and structural variants. By overcoming the challenges posed by traditional techniques such as off-target sequencing, DNA damage typically associated with bisulfite-based methods, and biases introduced during PCR amplification, researchers can now obtain authentic biological representations across both expansive and specific genomic regions.

This advancement opens new avenues for applications in liquid biopsy and targeted genomic analysis, providing a cost-effective, scalable, and highly precise framework suitable for diverse research landscapes.

Bridging the Gap to Multi-Omic Biology

Dean Lilley, Senior Director of Product Development at Wasatch BioLabs, emphasized the necessity of multi-omic biology in comprehending diseases. He remarked, "Multi-omic biology is essential for understanding disease, but for broad adoption, it has to be delivered in a way that scales." Through the collaboration with Agilent, he expressed confidence that native-read targeted sequencing would yield integrated insights into genetic and epigenetic data. This alignment is expected to establish the consistency, reproducibility, and operational reliability essential for high-throughput research and potential future clinical applications.

Early adopters across several fields, including oncology, neurology, rare diseases, and prenatal research, have already begun utilizing the dTMS to effectively address structural variations, allelic contexts, repeat expansions, and methylation patterns within a single assay. These initiatives illustrate how native-read targeted sequencing can facilitate a more comprehensive and informed profiling mechanism across diverse research areas such as liquid biopsy and extensive cohort studies.

A Vision for the Future of Genomic Insights

Nina Green, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's Clinical Diagnostics Division, shared insights on the partnership's significance, stating, "Partnering with Wasatch BioLabs allows Agilent to deliver a next-generation experience for customers who need both innovation and operational flexibility." The integration of SureSelect and Avida enrichment with WBL’s advanced sequencing technology and robust send-out service model is poised to eliminate workflow barriers, thereby enhancing customer access to high-quality next-generation sequencing (NGS) data without complications.

The collaboration aims to expedite adoption, enhance turnaround times, and present a powerful, innovative pathway toward achieving high-confidence genomic insights at any scale.

As part of this partnership, Wasatch BioLabs and Agilent will collectively deliver scientific content, educational programming, and technology demonstrations through the year 2027. The organizations anticipate that these efforts will enhance the adoption of native-read targeted sequencing while fast-tracking the development of cost-efficient and relevant native-read assays.

WBL is also extending an invitation to additional partners who are interested in integrating the targeted sequencing assay into their research or development endeavors. The service will remain in early access until the first quarter of 2026, allowing early adopters to influence future enhancements and gain priority access to upcoming capabilities.

About Wasatch BioLabs

Wasatch BioLabs (WBL), a subsidiary of Renew Biotechnologies, stands as the largest dedicated sequencing service provider in the United States, wholly specializing in long-read sequencing. Located in Salt Lake City, WBL boasts state-of-the-art laboratories, audit-ready quality systems, and high-throughput processing capacities. The organization collaborates with BioPharma, biotech, and academic teams to deliver sequencing solutions that encompass genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic applications.