Seer, Inc. has launched its most advanced proteomics platform to date, the Proteograph ONE Assay and SP200 Automation Instrument, which will power an unprecedented 20,000-sample study with Korea University aimed at developing AI-driven cancer diagnostics for young adults. The collaboration represents the first large-scale plasma proteomics initiative of its kind to leverage mass spectrometry and artificial intelligence for early cancer detection.
The three-year study, funded by the K-Health MIRAE initiative under Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, will analyze samples from 15,000 cancer patients and 5,000 healthy controls sourced from Seoul National University Hospital, the National Cancer Center, and Samsung Medical Center. The research specifically targets cancer biomarker discovery in patients in their 20s and 30s, addressing an underserved population in cancer diagnostics.
Breakthrough Technology Enables Population-Scale Research
Seer's newly launched Proteograph ONE workflow addresses longstanding barriers that have hindered large-scale proteomic studies. The platform processes more than 1,000 samples per week on a single SP200 instrument, doubling throughput without compromising performance. The streamlined workflow reduces per-sample analysis costs by approximately 60% compared to the company's initial 2021 release, making population-scale studies economically feasible.
"We carefully evaluated multiple approaches to expand the dynamic range of the plasma proteome—including some attempting to replicate Seer's Proteograph platform—and Seer's assay stood out as the only solution capable of delivering the depth, scale, and, critically, reproducibility needed for this ambitious study," said Professor Sang-Won Lee at the Center of Proteogenome Research of Korea University.
The new system completes 80-sample batches with less than 5 hours of automated runtime and requires only a single mass spectrometry injection per sample. Most significantly, it identifies up to 10 times more proteins than conventional mass spectrometry methods, providing unprecedented depth in proteomic analysis.
Advanced Mass Spectrometry Integration
The study employs Thermo Scientific's Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer alongside Seer's platform, creating what the companies describe as the industry's leading solution for proteomic research. The combination enables deep, full-range plasma proteome analysis at faster speeds than previously possible.
"When it comes to plasma proteomics studies such as this, the Orbitrap Astral MS and Proteograph ONE workflow provide a powerful solution to drive groundbreaking research," said Dan Shine, senior vice president and president of analytical instruments at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Clinical Impact and Future Applications
The Korea University collaboration exemplifies the real-world potential of population-scale proteomics. By leveraging deep proteomic analysis, the study aims to catalyze development of diagnostics that are more sensitive, scalable, and personalized, ultimately enabling earlier interventions and improved survival outcomes in young adult cancer patients.
"Korea University selected Seer's new Proteograph ONE workflow as the foundation for this critical and forward-looking initiative so that they can unlock the full potential of proteomics in population-scale research," said Omid Farokhzad, Chair and CEO of Seer. "We're excited to help define a new generation of diagnostics that can transform how diseases like cancer are detected and managed around the world."
Platform Capabilities and Availability
The Proteograph ONE workflow overcomes historical limitations where deep proteomic workflows faced scaling challenges, manual handling introduced variability, and large-scale studies were hindered by prohibitive costs. The automated workflow reduces operator-induced variability while adding robustness for processing valuable biological samples.
Key technical specifications include processing over 1,000 samples per week per instrument, automated run times under 5 hours for 80-sample batches, and the ability to identify significantly more proteins than traditional mass spectrometry workflows. The platform became commercially available on June 1, 2025, through instrument and kit purchases and as a service through the Seer Technology Access Center.
The collaboration between Seer and Korea University demonstrates how advanced proteomics technology can now support the scale and depth required for population-level biomarker discovery, potentially transforming early cancer detection and precision medicine approaches for younger patient populations.
