RNA in Oncology Research, Ultima Genomics Commercially Launches Platform, More

By Bio-IT World Team  

February 27, 2025 | InfoBionic.Ai’s MoMe ARC delivers real-time cardiac insights, empowering physicians to improve patient outcomes; Ultima Genomics announced the commercial launch of UG 100 Solaris; and more. 

Dovetail Genomics announced its early access services for FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded) sample analysis, offering new capabilities for detecting structural variants and profiling RNA in oncology research. This service includes the detection of structural variants using Dovetail's proprietary linked-read chemistry, along with RNA profiling to validate gene fusion events and assess gene transcription levels. These technologies provide a comprehensive approach to uncovering structural variation and its impact on cancer-related transcriptional output. Press release.

Ultima Genomics announced the commercial launch of UG 100 Solaris. UG 100 Solaris features new chemistry, software, and simplified workflows to significantly increase output and lower cost on the UG 100 sequencing platform. The launch of UG 100 Solaris includes Solaris Free for PCR-free libraries and Solaris Flex for amplified and converted libraries. Press release. 

Cellino announced its collaboration with Mass General Brigham’s Gene and Cell Therapy Institute (GCTI) to launch the world’s first hospital-based autologous induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) Foundry. Powered by Cellino’s AI-driven Nebula technology, this initiative sets the stage for a nationwide network of decentralized biomanufacturing hubs designed to deliver personalized cell and tissue therapies directly at the point of care. Press release.

Seonix Bio announced the US launch of SightScore, the first commercially available clinical polygenic risk score testing service for primary open-angle glaucoma. SightScore uses a saliva test to identify individuals at high risk for glaucoma, enabling earlier diagnosis, intervention, and more personalized treatment while also identifying low-risk individuals who may benefit from less frequent monitoring. Press release.

Certis Oncology Solutions announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed a patent application directed to Certis’s predictive artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) platform, CertisAI. The platform brings data-driven precision to a variety of early development decisions and provides a virtual environment in which to test and validate hypotheses related to drug efficacy, resistance and synergies. The patent broadly protects a predictive AI/ML platform that integrates multiple data sets including drug features, gene expression biomarkers, and drug response, as well as the use of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) for model validation. Press release.

The North-South partnership between the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University (SU) has received funding under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) UK-SA Health System Strengthening Partnership. The new project will leverage genomic surveillance to monitor respiratory viruses, like influenza, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 in real-time to boost pandemic preparedness in both the United Kingdom and South Africa. The partnership will focus on genomic monitoring of respiratory viruses, which are key culprits behind seasonal infections and potential pandemics. This initiative underscores the vital role of data sharing and international collaboration to create a unified, robust surveillance system for faster, more coordinated responses to emerging global health threats. By gathering genomic data on respiratory viruses over two winters in the same year, the project will advance seasonal disease preparedness and provide a unique window on the global spread of disease. Press release.

AlidaBio announced the full commercial launch of its EpiPlex platform, the first to concurrently detect and quantify multiple RNA modifications by short-read sequencing in addition to providing gene expression data. The platform, which pairs the EpiPlex RNA Reagent Kit and the EpiScout Analysis Suite, provides a comprehensive, single-workflow solution to advance research into the role of RNA modifications in disease, aging and development. The EpiPlex platform is designed to allow researchers of all skill levels to accurately and simultaneously detect multiple RNA modifications (N6-methyladenosine and inosine initially, with extendability to others), offering broader insights into the complex relationships between the modifications and dynamic regulatory mechanisms in cancer, neurological and cardiometabolic disease, cell differentiation, viral infection and other phenotypes relevant to human health. Press release.

ComplianceQuest has partnered with Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud to deliver LifeQuest 360, an AI-powered platform tailored for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical technology industries. LifeQuest 360 combines the strengths of ComplianceQuest’s Digital Quality+ Platform with Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud, Agentforce, and key ISV partners to create a comprehensive suite of solutions for the life sciences industry. This advanced platform is designed to expedite product success by streamlining crucial development, operational, quality, safety, supplier management, sustainability, post-market surveillance and customer experience processes to ensure a smoother journey from concept to market. Press release.

Sapio Sciences announced that LabConnect chose Sapio LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) to digitally transform complex research workflows, streamline sample tracking, and enhance data management. LabConnect partners with biopharma companies and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines, projects that involve managing and tracking thousands of samples across multiple laboratories. To simplify these intricate workflows and ensure seamless operations, LabConnect selected Sapio LIMS as a scalable, flexible, and robust solution tailored to meet its needs. Key benefits of the partnership include: streamlined operation, enhanced data integrity, and scalable innovation. Press release.