Illumina has officially launched Illumina Protein Prep, a new assay designed to enable large-scale proteomics discovery using next-generation sequencing (NGS).
The technology allows researchers to measure an unprecedented 9,500 unique human protein targets, offering a streamlined workflow from sample to insights for applications in cancer, cardio metabolic, and immunologic diseases.
This launch follows a successful early-access program with nearly 40 collaborators, who praised the solution for its scale, consistency, and ease of use. Illumina Protein Prep is powered by SOMAmer™ technology and, when combined with Illumina's NovaSeq™ sequencing platforms and DRAGEN™ software, allows for the simultaneous analysis of thousands of proteins, helping to overcome the "interpretation bottleneck" in multiomics studies. This innovation is a crucial step in fulfilling the company's multiomics strategy and follows its recent agreement to acquire SomaLogic, a move that further strengthens its position in the proteomics market.
The ability to bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype is a key advantage of this new technology. For example, in the UK, researchers working on Genomics England's 100,000 Genomes Project leveraged Illumina Protein Prep to profile over 7,800 participants. A pilot study of 500 samples showed a significant 7.5% increase in diagnostic yield for rare diseases. Similarly, Dr. Kasey Couts at the University of Colorado is using the platform to study rare melanomas, a type of cancer that is less responsive to standard immunotherapies. By identifying up to 9,500 proteins, her team is gaining a much more comprehensive understanding of the tumors' unique proteomic signatures compared to older technologies limited to just 92 proteins. This research aims to uncover biomarkers that could lead to new diagnostics and therapies.
Illumina is further cementing its leadership in proteomics through other key initiatives, including a pilot program with the UK Biobank and biopharma collaborators to analyze 50,000 samples, which will create a valuable resource of NGS-based proteomics data for the research community. The announced acquisition of SomaLogic is expected to close in the future and will integrate SomaLogic's data-driven proteomics technology into Illumina's portfolio, enhancing the value of its NovaSeq X Series as an enabler of next-generation multiomic applications. Until the deal is complete, the companies will operate as separate entities. Overall, the launch of Illumina Protein Prep represents a significant advancement in large-scale protein analysis, providing a powerful tool to accelerate drug discovery and deepen our understanding of disease.