Cepheid and Oxford Nanopore Technologies announced a strategic collaboration today to develop and commercialize an integrated end-to-end workflow that combines Cepheid's widely-used GeneXpert system for sample preparation with Oxford Nanopore's sequencing technology. The partnership aims to democratize access to advanced genomic analysis by simplifying complex sequencing workflows for infectious disease research.
The companies have successfully completed a proof-of-concept study demonstrating the feasibility of using Cepheid's cartridge-based GeneXpert system for sample and library preparation in conjunction with Oxford Nanopore's sequencing platform. This joint Research Use Only (RUO) workflow will enable laboratories to perform rapid, information-rich sequencing in-house, delivering results within hours rather than days.
"Combining the ease-of-use of the GeneXpert system, the most widely placed PCR diagnostic instrument world-wide, with Oxford Nanopore's unique sequencing platform, unlocks a richness of biomarker data that has historically been technically challenging for many labs to access," said Vitor Rocha, President of Cepheid.
Transforming Infectious Disease Analysis
The initial application will focus on infectious disease research, specifically profiling bacterial and fungal pathogens through whole genome sequencing. The workflow will first support analysis from culture isolates before expanding to direct sequencing from positive blood cultures.
This integrated solution addresses several critical needs in infectious disease management:
- Comprehensive pathogen identification
- Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes
- SNP-based clonality for outbreak tracking and surveillance
- AI-driven genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility predictions
Dr. Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, emphasized the significance of the partnership: "This collaboration represents an important step forward in delivering new and improved workflow options to better understand infectious diseases. By partnering to integrate our richer data, rapid insights, and accessible and affordable sequencing technology with Cepheid's GeneXpert architecture, we are establishing a workflow foundation that is positioned for future expansion into scaled routine clinical use."
Expanding Access to Advanced Sequencing
A key goal of the collaboration is to deliver a scalable, automated solution for simplified nanopore sequencing that can be implemented in various laboratory settings, including those without prior sequencing expertise. This democratization of sequencing technology could significantly expand access to genomic data that has traditionally required specialized facilities and training.
The joint workflow will be compatible with various informatics tools, including Oxford Nanopore's EPI2ME and other solutions within Oxford Nanopore's compatible provider network. Cepheid will also offer a complementary informatics solution through licensing from a leading industry player.
Future Applications Beyond Infectious Disease
While initially focused on infectious disease applications, the collaboration has potential to expand into additional areas including:
- Cancer genomics
- Human genetics
- Regulatory-approved clinical diagnostics
Rocha highlighted this potential: "Providing an integrated solution to more effectively characterize infectious diseases, understand the epidemiology of bacterial outbreaks, and profile antimicrobial resistance will meaningfully accelerate our mission of expanding access to critical molecular information. The potential for future expansion of this technology to applications for patient care is exciting."
Technical Capabilities and Market Impact
Oxford Nanopore's technology is currently used in more than 125 countries for applications ranging from human disease research to environmental monitoring. Their nanopore-based sensing technology enables faster, information-rich, and more accessible molecular analysis compared to traditional sequencing methods.
Cepheid, an operating company within Danaher Corporation's Diagnostics platform, brings its expertise in automating complex molecular procedures through its GeneXpert system. The company has established itself as a leader in molecular diagnostics, particularly in infectious disease and cancer applications.
The partnership represents a significant advancement in making sequencing technology more accessible and practical for routine use in clinical and research settings, potentially accelerating the adoption of precision medicine approaches for infectious disease management.
