Illumina launches protein prep assay for drug discovery research

Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) announced the launch of Illumina Protein Prep, an assay for next-generation sequencing-based proteomics discovery. The product can measure 9,500 unique human protein targets and has been available through an early-access program before its broad release.

The assay uses SOMAmer technology and integrates with Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platforms. After sequencing, Illumina DRAGEN Protein Quantification and Connected Multiomics software process the proteomic data. The system targets applications in cancer, cardio metabolic and immunologic diseases for discovery and clinical research.

"NGS-based proteomics provides critical speed, accuracy, reproducibility, and scalability to power large studies and accelerate the drug discovery pipeline for our ecosystem partners in biopharma," said Steve Barnard, chief technology officer of Illumina.

Since 2024, nearly 40 early collaborators have tested the product, processing approximately 30,000 samples with the 6K assay version and over 6,000 samples with the 9.5K assay version, which became available in March.

Genomics England implemented the assay in their 100,000 Genomes Project, profiling more than 7,800 participants. Data from an initial 500-sample pilot study showed a 7.5% increase in diagnostic yield compared to their 2019 baseline of 25% for rare disease cohorts.

"Until now, proteomics has been considered as a standalone research test, and what this study shows is it will have a much bigger clinical impact on both rare and common diseases," said Professor Matthew Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is using the assay to study rare melanomas, including ocular, acral, and mucosal types that respond poorly to immunotherapy.

Illumina announced in June a definitive agreement to acquire SomaLogic from Standard BioTools (NASDAQ: LAB), pending regulatory clearances.

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