Opentrons Labworks and Swift Bioscience Launch "Plug-&-Play" NGS Library Preparation Automation Workstation

Opentrons Labworks, Inc. ("Opentrons") and Swift Biosciences, Inc. ("Swift") announce the launch of the most affordable fully-automated workstation for next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation ever put on the market. The two companies will be launching the product at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening Conference (SLAS2020) in San Diego, CA, January 25 - 29.

For an all-in cost under $15,755, biologists can get everything they need to go from double-stranded DNA to a ready-to-sequence NGS library in a single fully-automated run -- for under $30 / sample. The full workstation includes an Opentrons OT-2 lab robot with on-deck magnetic module, temperature module, and thermocycler, plus the Swift 2S Turbo DNA Library Kit^?, and Omega Bio-tek MagBind TotalPure NGS cleanup beads, as well as all required labware and consumables for 100 samples. The verified protocol is available to download free at opentrons.com.

"Our goal has always been to make sophisticated biotechnology tools more accessible to more people. This means fully-automated genomics workstations that are affordable, of course, but also extremely robust and easy to use," says Opentrons Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Will Canine. "With this workstation, labs can save 6 or more hours of hands-on time for each batch of NGS libraries they produce."

This announcement follows on Opentrons launch of their fully automated on-deck thermocycler in Q4 2019. This new module enables biologists to keep amplification steps on-robot during NGS library prep protocols, rather than requiring they move samples to an off-deck PCR machine. This eliminates human intervention steps, removing opportunity for error while giving scientists more hands-off time.

"At Swift, we specialize in high quality library preparation workflows and have found a capable automation partner in Opentrons," said Mida Pezeshkian, Senior Product Manager at Swift. "Together, we deliver a turnkey solution with a pre-scripted liquid handler running Swift reagents at a price point compatible with most labs' budgets."

To learn more about the workstation, visit opentrons.com/ngs-library-prep.

About Swift Biosciences

Swift Biosciences develops enabling technologies for genomics, translational, and clinical research. Our technologies expand the range of sample inputs to extend the applications of next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Swift has developed unique intellectual property (IP) to enhance adapter ligation to both single and double-stranded DNA, improve multiplexed PCR for targeted sequencing and enable novel solutions for NGS workflows and our RNA is the fastest on the market using Adaptase® technology.

Using its proprietary technologies, Swift has developed DNA and RNA library preparation kits and library normalization for NGS.

Our high-quality product portfolio features fast, easy and reliable solutions for many lab workflows. For more information, visit SwiftBioSci.com and follow Swift Biosciences on Twitter (@SwiftBioSci).

About Opentrons

Opentrons is making automation accessible for any lab, starting with affordable pipetting robots for biologists. With its easy-to-use hardware and an open software platform, Opentrons automates manual lab work and empowers collaborative research for life scientists. Opentrons has helped over 1,500 labs in 45 countries save time, money and lab costs -- including 47 of the top 50 academic universities in the world such as MIT, Oxford, and Stanford, and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies such as GSK, Merck, and Novartis. To learn more, visit opentrons.com.