Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) and SPT Labtech announced the introduction of the fireflyGO automation platform, a benchtop liquid handling and library preparation solution for targeted oncology research. The platform integrates with Illumina's MiSeq i100 Series sequencers.

The fireflyGO system automates library preparation and liquid handling processes, reducing manual touchpoints in laboratory workflows. The automation is designed to work with next-generation sequencing panels developed by Pillar Biosciences, supporting Illumina's targeted oncology research portfolio.

"Illumina is delivering end-to-end workflow solutions that help customers across the healthcare and research ecosystem make genomic testing more efficient and accessible," said Sandy Ottensmann, vice president and general manager of Global Clinical Solutions at Illumina.

SPT Labtech CEO Rob Walton stated that the collaboration reflects "a shared focus on enabling efficient and accessible genomics workflows."

Illumina also expanded its Pillar Biosciences oncoReveal targeted research portfolio with two new panels. The oncoReveal Nexus 21 Gene Panel targets solid tumor and hematological malignancy sequencing for multiple cancer types including non-small cell lung cancer, endometrial cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, B-cell lymphoma and myeloproliferative neoplasms. The oncoReveal Lymphoid Panel covers 84 genes spanning B-cell, T-cell, and lymphoblastic markers.

The oncoReveal panels are available to customers worldwide. Illumina plans to showcase the fireflyGO platform at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago from May 29 through June 2.