Thermo Fisher Launches Next-Generation Sequencing Platform for Labs

Thermo Fisher Scientific recently launched the CE-IVD marked Ion Torrent Genexus Dx Integrated Sequencer, an automated, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform that delivers results in one day. 

The platform is designed for clinical laboratories and enables users to perform diagnostic testing and clinical research on a single instrument.  

“Next-generation sequencing has become an essential tool to bring the promise of precision medicine therapies to patients. With the automated, easy-to-use Genexus Dx Integrated Sequencer, any hospital — including regional and community hospitals — can bring NGS in-house, giving clinicians access to timely, comprehensive genomic profiling results,” Garret Hampton, president of clinical NGS and oncology at Thermo Fisher, said in the announcement.  

“With faster answers, the results can aid clinicians in their patient management decision making, which may include therapeutic options,” Hampton continued. 

NGS makes large-scale whole-genome sequencing (WGS) accessible and practical for researchers. The technology enables scientists to analyze the entire human genome in a single sequencing experiment or sequence thousands to tens of thousands of genomes in one year. 

In November 2019, Thermo Fisher launched its Ion Torrent Genexus System, the first fully integrated NGS platform that enables a future in which local hospitals can adopt NGS testing.  

The company’s overarching goal was to advance precision medicine in every clinical setting by enabling clinicians to leverage the power of comprehensive genomic information. 

Then in June 2021, Thermo Fisher introduced the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay to improve surveillance and identify new and known COVID-19 variants from samples with lower viral loads.  

The panel leverages sensitive NGS, allowing researchers to obtain epidemiological insights with a rapid turnaround time, workflow automation, seamless informatics, and data uploading to public SARS-CoV-2 data repositories.  

Notably, the technology can sequence over 99% of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, covering all potential stereotypes.  

The company is currently developing a complete sample-to-report diagnostic workflow and a portfolio of clinically validated assays, including comprehensive genomic profiling and hemato-oncology, to increase physicians' access to rapid NGS results.