Biopharma

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Enabling biopharma to accelerate the production of innovative medicines to address complex diseases.

Over the last 20 years, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become an indispensable tool for biopharma companies, contract research organisations (CROs) and contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), across the full drug development pathway, to support different applications.​

However, there is a growing recognition that traditional "short-read" sequencing methods, which require amplification and fragmentation of DNA or RNA molecules, erase critically important information.

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Better biomarkers

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Improved screening

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Understanding MoA

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Improved QC methods

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Reduces analytical complexity

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Stage appropriate devices and support

A new generation of sequencing technology

Nanopore sequencing from Oxford Nanopore Technologies overcomes such limitations and offers an innovative approach: direct sequencing of DNA or RNA fragments any length quickly and efficiently. This approach can be utilised across the whole drug discovery value chain, and the ultra-rich genetic data generated provides an important tool in the continuing drive to boost data-driven decision making, and in turn, improve the probability of success (PoS) of drug discovery and development programs.

Nanopore sequencing delivers:

  • Ultra-rich data — for comprehensive insights
  • Any read length — from short to ultra-long (>4 Mb)
  • PCR free — no amplification bias
  • Built-in methylation detection — no additional bisulfite sequencing runs required
  • Real-time analysis — immediate access to actionable results

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is already well established in many areas of life science research with >8,000 users worldwide across 120 countries. These users have published >11,000 publications in human genetics, cancer, plant, animal, and microbial biology.

Such research has served as a foundation for the development of solutions in many industries, including biopharma, which is a particularly active area of development in 2024.

The schematic below shows the current focus areas:

Talk to a specialist

If you would like to talk to a biopharma technical specialist on how nanopore sequencing can be used in any of these focus areas, please get in touch via email.

Find out more about solutions for cell and gene therapy

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is now an essential tool across the drug development value chain; however, the requirement of traditional NGS technologies for nucleic acid fragmentation and amplification erases critical sample information. Nanopore sequencing from Oxford Nanopore Technologies overcomes these limitations to reveal the true biology of your samples.

Download brochure
Gene therapy brochure

Find out more about nanopore sequencing solutions for QC in biopharma

Throughout the drug development pathway, numerous analytical methods are used to measure critical attributes (CTQs) of drugs. Oxford Nanopore Technologies enables single QC tests that can replace multiple legacy analytical assays.

Download brochure
Biopharma QC brochure

Learn how nanopore sequencing works

Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of DNA/RNA sequencing technology. It is the only sequencing technology that offers real-time analysis (for rapid insights), in fully scalable formats, from pocket to population scale, that can analyse native DNA or RNA and sequence any length of fragment to achieve short to ultra-long read lengths.

Discover nanopore sequencing

A range of sequencing devices and flow cells allows great flexibility to tailor your throughput and application needs more precisely.

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MinION

The only portable, real-time devices for DNA and RNA sequencing, giving complete control and creativity over when, where, and how often you sequence, regardless of application.

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GridION

Self-contained, easily deployable benchtop devices designed to run and analyse up to five MinION or Flongle Flow Cells. Simple, robust scalability for all your sequencing needs.

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PromethION

High-coverage nanopore sequencing in formats ranging from modular, fully integrated devices, to high-throughput solutions. Each flow cell can deliver the lowest price per Gb for nanopore sequencing.

GMP-ready sequencing solution

- Biopharma QC-specific Test Packs including consumables, analysis pipelines and documentation required

- Locked-down consumables and analysis pipelines

- Stage-appropriate sequencing devices

- Comprehensive support packages

Want to work with Oxford Nanopore on GMP-ready sequencing?

GridION Q Features