Tecan offers an integrated solution suite for liquid biopsy workflows

Männedorf, Switzerland, February 5, 2024 – Tecan is announcing a streamlined solution portfolio specifically designed for liquid biopsy applications, from upstream workflows to downstream analysis for genomics and proteomics applications. As a leader in laboratory automation, Tecan offers a suite of solutions to accelerate the development, validation and clinical adoption of liquid biopsy protocols, ensuring maximum productivity, high reproducibility and reduced cost per sample.

Liquid biopsy is becoming a key tool for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, especially in oncology. It enables earlier diagnosis by avoiding the invasive procedures, slow time to results and high costs associated with traditional biopsies. However, the processing of liquid biopsy samples, particularly whole blood, requires precision and meticulous standardization to ensure accurate and reliable results. The technically demanding downstream workflows also present multiple challenges, including the risk of sample cross-contamination, low sample volume and poor reproducibility between different runs, instruments and operators. Tecan is addressing these challenges head on.

The patented technology behind the Phase Separator™ is a significant advance in the separation of centrifuged blood samples. It provides pressure-based liquid-liquid phase separation as an integral element of the Fluent® Automation Workstation’s capabilities. Designed for precision, speed and maximum sample volume with minimal risk of sample cross-contamination, Phase Separator is up to twice as fast as comparable camera-based systems. Its in-tube method for detecting phase boundaries enables effective separation of plasma and/or buffy coat layers from whole blood, with no interference from barcodes and other critical tube markings, thus preserving the integrity of each sample's chain of custody.

From detecting biomarkers to informing precision medicine, liquid biopsy is a bridge that connects upstream diagnostics to genomics-driven therapies. Tecan’s genomics portfolio offers fully automated walkaway solutions, including the well-established workstations ‒ DreamPrep® NAP for nucleic acid extraction and DreamPrep NGS sample prep ‒ enabling the standardization of technically challenging high-throughput workflows to ensure consistent and reliable sample processing.

Another exciting development to expand Tecan’s downstream processing capabilities is the Resolvex® i300 positive pressure module, which can be integrated into the Fluent Automation Workstation. Scheduled for launch in H1 2024, the Resolvex® i300 is a fully automated solution for every step of the sample purification process, including clean-up, evaporation and resuspension, ensuring the integrity and consistency of each sample, whether for proteomics or genomics applications. The instrument is perfectly suited for clinical applications, such as liquid biopsy, thanks to its unique droplet-protection feature that reduces the risk of cross-contamination during labware handling.

"Our comprehensive approach to critical applications, including liquid biopsy workflows, demonstrates Tecan’s commitment to scaling healthcare innovation globally,” said Klaus Lun, Executive Vice President and Head of the Life Sciences Business Division at Tecan. “With a well-established presence in life science research and clinical diagnostics, and extensive expertise in regulatory affairs, we are ideally positioned to support our customers, from scientific discovery, through translational research to approved clinical applications."

“Liquid biopsy is becoming a pivotal tool in modern healthcare,” said Lauren Leiman, Executive Director of BLOODPAC, a consortium dedicated to accelerating the development, validation and clinical use of liquid biopsy assays. “Automating and standardizing the processing of blood samples will bring substantial benefits for patients, including less invasive diagnostic procedures, more effective monitoring of disease progression and prognosis and ultimately, better informed and more personalized treatment strategies.”

Join us at SLAS on booth #1031 or at the roundtable discussion “Standardization and automation for liquid biopsy solutions in oncology”. Alternatively, visit https://www.tecan.com/liquidbiopsyworkflow to learn more.

For further information

Tecan Group
Benjamin Peltier 
Senior Manager Media and Content
benjamin.peltier@tecan.com
Tel. +41 (0) 44 922 88 88

About Tecan

Tecan (www.tecan.com) improves people’s lives and health by empowering customers to scale healthcare innovation globally from life science to the clinic. Tecan is a pioneer and global leader in laboratory automation. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments, components and medical devices that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has around 3,500 employees, with manufacturing, research and development sites in Europe, North America and Asia, and maintains a sales and service network in over 70 countries. In 2022, Tecan generated sales of CHF 1,144 million (USD 1,192 million; EUR 1,144 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191).