Roche has unveiled AXELIOS 1, a next-generation sequencing platform built on its proprietary SBX technology, positioning it as a potential shake-up in genomics research and clinical science workflows.

 

The company says the system combines “accuracy, speed, flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency” in a single architecture designed to remove long-standing bottlenecks in sequencing, with ambitions that stretch from basic research to future clinical applications.

 

“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 Roche Diagnostics. 

 

“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.”

 

At the core of the platform is SBX (sequencing by expansion), a chemistry-driven approach that converts DNA and RNA into enlarged surrogate molecules called “Xpandomers,” designed to amplify signal clarity as they pass through a reusable CMOS-based nanopore sensor system. 

 

Roche says this architecture enables ultra-rapid, high-throughput single-molecule sequencing with near real-time analysis.

 

The AXELIOS 1 system is engineered for flexible deployment, allowing laboratories to run both small experimental batches and large-scale genomic projects on the same instrument without workflow changes. Roche says this adaptability could allow whole-genome sequencing results within the same day, depending on use case and setup.

 

The company is also launching supporting ecosystem tools, including library preparation kits and an open-source bioinformatics suite (XOOS), alongside compatibility with external analysis frameworks such as Google DeepVariant and partnerships with partners including Hartwig Medical Foundation, Broad Clinical Labs, and 10x Genomics for single-cell and spatial applications.

 

Roche says early collaborations have already demonstrated strong performance in accuracy, throughput and speed, with some early-access users reporting record-breaking sequencing turnaround times. The SBX system has been tested across applications including whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, single-cell analysis, spatial biology and methylation studies.

 

The broader sequencing market, valued at around USD 7.3 billion, continues to expand rapidly across research and clinical domains, with double-digit growth expected in coming years. Roche says interest in SBX has intensified since early-access data was shared earlier in 2025.