Next Generation Sequencing: New Tech and Companies to Watch

Roche's latest development, Sequencing by Expansion (SBX), marks a promising shift in NGS technology. SBX departs from conventional PCR-based amplification by using an enzymatic method that expands individual DNA molecules, creating larger, more easily detectable signals. The key to this improvement in signal resolution is the so-called "Xpandomer", an expanded DNA surrogate 50 times longer than conventional DNA strands. This process uses expandable nucleotide triphosphates (X-NTPs) to encode highly distinguishable reporter signals, enabling precise sequencing. By transforming DNA into these elongated Xpandomers, SBX overcomes the spatial resolution and signal-to-noise challenges inherent in conventional sequencing methods.

According to the claims in the publicly available sources, SBX is capable of sequencing seven human genomes at 30X coverage per hour with accuracy exceeding 99.8%. Roche has begun deploying SBX instruments to early access sites such as the Hartwig Medical Foundation in the Netherlands and the Broad Institute. SBX will initially be available for research use, with early access already underway and a full commercial release expected in 2026. Pricing and sample preparation details remain undisclosed, but Roche communicated its plans to expand SBX into clinical applications over time.

While the news is dominated by Roche’s development, the NGS field is a rapidly evolving space with lots of players and technological advances.

Roche SBX Nanopore timeline and performance comparison (courtesy of Hanna Foster, PhD)

Journey Through the Sequencing History

Today, the global NGS market is projected to surpass $22 billion by 2029, fueled by advancements in AI-driven analysis, multi-omics integration, and spatial biology. The increased demand for sequencing is also bolstering adjacent sectors, with the sequencing reagents market expected to reach $21.91 billion by 2030.