Roche Expands Its Targeted Sequencing Portfolio with Launch of SeqCap EZ Oncology and Neurology Panels and New Exome Products

Roche has announced the launch and immediate availability of multiple new SeqCap EZ Library target enrichment products. SeqCap EZ Library is a method that enables the enrichment of the whole exome or custom regions of interest prior to next-generation sequencing. The new products are designed to enhance genetic variant discovery and detection in basic and clinical research studies, while minimizing sequencing costs with excellent capture efficiency. They are optimized for subsequent sequencing on a variety of next-generation technology platforms.

“We are extremely excited to expand our targeted sequencing portfolio to meet the rapidly evolving needs of researchers in the field of next-generation sequencing,” said Thomas Schinecker, Head of Roche Sequencing Solutions. “Our proven industry leading performance in target enrichment technology gives us a strong foundation to offer these new solutions to researchers in basic research and translational research laboratories. In addition, we are looking forward into early next year when we will be launching new SeqCap EZ Reagents to provide customers with additional workflow convenience.”

The new custom and fixed content exome solutions will expand Roche’s current exome enrichment portfolio. SeqCap EZ Exome Plus Library enables researchers to create own target enrichment discovery tools by adding up to 50 Mb of custom targets to the existing 64 MB EZ Exome v3 products providing the ability to target and enrich up to 114 Mb of total genomic DNA. SeqCap EZ Exome +UTR Library offers an expanded exome enrichment design that includes 32 Mb of untranslated regions (UTRs) in addition to the existing 64 Mb EZ Exome v3 design, targeting 96 Mb of exons and UTRs in total.

The new disease-specific target enrichment panels for clinical research applications are designed to enhance the discovery of genetic variants underlying human cancers and neurological disorders. SeqCap EZ Comprehensive Cancer Design offers the most complete oncology enrichment design currently available, covering 578 genes implicated in a wide range of common and rare cancers. The SeqCap EZ Neurology Panel Design covers 256 genes associated with 87 neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and autism therefore offering the most comprehensive neurology panel.