Illumina Partners with SPT Labtech, Takara Bio on Automated Sample Prep and Spatial Transcriptomics
Published: 26 Mar 2026
Author: Precedence Research
SPT Labtech, a global leader in the design and development of laboratory automation and liquid handling solutions, collaborated with Illumina to develop a novel automated sample preparation platform designed to streamline and standardise genomics workflows across decentralised healthcare environments. It will help support the lab in improving patient care in the oncology field and provide access to high-quality genomic characterisation of diseases.
Replacing the manual machine with advanced automation in laboratories of all sizes and setting these aims to deliver actionable insights from sample to result. This collaboration allows scientists to scale their studies to hundreds of thousands of nuclei while preserving the single-cell sensitivity needed to interrogate even the most complex tissue architectures; without relying on specialised hardware or intricate cell segmentation algorithms. We are pleased to share the details of this innovative solution with the scientific community.
According to Towards Healthcare, the Biotechnology Separation Systems Market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 15.86 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 46.89 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8% from 2026 to 2035. This next phase of collaboration with Illumina reflects growing demand from laboratories seeking to perform their sequencing operations in-house, enabling efficient and accessible genomics workflows, and expanding SPT Labtech’s presence in the clinical genomics market.
Platform for Automated workflow
MiSeq i100 benchtop sequencing system supports laboratories using Illumina, which make next generation high quality sequencing. This gives access to more labs across the world, and it is designed to provide standardised, automated workflows that enable laboratories to achieve rapid, high-quality insights closer to where critical decisions are being made.
Senior Vice President of Services Arrays and Genomic Access at Illumina, Todd Christian, commented that this collaboration builds on that history and doubles down on our commitment to expand access to next-generation sequencing for labs of all sizes, ultimately enabling researchers and clinicians to drive breakthroughs that matter for the patients they serve. Labs around the world rely on Illumina for high-quality, reliable insights and end-to-end workflows that make it easier for them to unlock crucial genomic insights faster.
A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the Biotechnology Separation Systems market, by partnering with Illumina, is removing the traditional barriers to spatial transcriptomics and delivering a truly turnkey, instrument-free solution that allows researchers to gain high-resolution spatial insights using the Illumina library prep and sequencing workflow they already rely on. By combining our expertise in automation and sequencing, as well-positioned to help laboratories adopt advanced genomics workflows within decentralised healthcare settings.