Roche Diagnostics launches gene sequencing rival to Illumina

Roche Diagnostics is breaking new ground in the next-generation sequencing market long dominated by Illumina, the company it attempted to acquire in 2012.

The newly launched AXELIOS 1 is built on SBX technology and is positioned as a sequencing system combining accuracy, speed, flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency aimed at addressing persistent bottlenecks in genomics and clinical research.

As national investment in precision medicine and genomic science continues to expand, laboratories are producing increasingly sophisticated datasets. Yet the underlying infrastructure supporting genomic workflows has struggled to keep pace.

Conventional next-generation sequencing depend heavily on rigid batching models. To make large sequencing runs financially viable, laboratories frequently delay processing until enough samples accumulate, often waiting days or weeks before initiating a run. When demand requires smaller or irregular batch sizes, the cost per sample can rise sharply, limiting responsiveness in time-sensitive research environments. Compounding this, single-molecule nanopore sequencing approaches have historically faced accuracy limitations, with densely packed nucleotide reads generating signal interference that increases background noise.

Anand Vairavan, Managing Director of Roche Diagnostics Australia, underscored the need for tools that eliminate these operational constraints.

“Next-Generation Sequencing is generating incredible scientific insights, but the sheer volume of data has become a bottleneck for researchers. With the AXELIOS 1 platform and our SBX technology, our goal is to remove that operational drag,” said Vairavan. “By delivering rapid, highly reliable data analysis, we are empowering the Australian genomics community to focus on what matters most: accelerating breakthroughs and turning scientific potential into real-world patient outcomes.”

The launch of this sequencing platform arrives at a pivotal time with the draft National Health Genomics Policy Framework and Implementation Plan 2026–2030 and the Genomics Health Futures Mission signalling a commitment to translating genomic discovery into clinical application.

Roche’s USD $750,000 system has been developed through multiple collaborations, including work with the Hartwig Medical Foundation and Broad Clinical Labs, alongside a partnership with 10x Genomics for single-cell and spatial application kits. Support for its SBX technology backbone also draws on Google DeepVariant and the open-source XOOS tools suite.

The AXELIOS 1 platform is positioned against Illumina’s NovaSeq X system, priced at approximately USD $985,000 to $1.25 million. However, AXELIOS 1 is initially being released for research use only and is not approved for diagnostic applications, limiting deployment to academic and research institutions. Early access users have already reported practical applications in oncology, genetics, and infectious disease research.

“AXELIOS 1 will deliver a disruptive sequencing solution that combines high accuracy with unprecedented speed and scalability. These attributes, combined with our high level of cost efficiency, will enable the sequencing community to develop applications that previously were not feasible,” said Matt Sause, CEO of Matt Sause. “Additionally, in the future, AXELIOS 1 has the same potential to enable the next generation of clinical applications and unlock new frontiers in personalised healthcare.”

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