Qiagen N.V. (NYSE: QGEN) has launched QIAmini, a benchtop automated sample preparation system aimed at academic and research laboratories that process smaller sample batches.

The system has a footprint roughly the size of a sheet of printer paper and processes up to eight samples per run. It automates DNA and RNA extraction and purification, and Qiagen says evaluated workflows showed a reduction in hands-on time of more than 80% compared with manual processing.

Five dedicated QIAmini kits support sample processing from biological materials including tissue, cells, cheek swabs, whole blood, body fluids, and stool. Compatible applications include PCR, digital PCR, and next-generation sequencing. The system is intended for research use only and is not cleared for diagnostic procedures.

Qiagen estimates the addressable market at more than 100,000 potential instrument placements worldwide. "Automation should not depend on batch size," said Nitin Sood, Senior Vice President and Head of Product Portfolio & Innovation at Qiagen. "QIAmini gives labs processing smaller batches a practical way to replace repetitive manual work with automation."

QIAmini is the third sample preparation system Qiagen has launched in 2026, following QIAsprint Connect for high-throughput research and QIAsymphony Connect for medium-throughput research and clinical laboratory use.