Illumina Inc (NASDAQ: ILMN), a provider of DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced on Monday that it has launched an 18-month innovation roadmap for its NovaSeq X platform, targeting significant gains in data quality, output, speed and workflow flexibility to support large-scale genomics and precision medicine applications.

The planned upgrades include the introduction of Q70 quality scores, a first for the platform, alongside a 40% increase in output to 35 billion reads and approximately 30% faster sequencing speeds. The enhancements are expected to improve turnaround times and expand daily sequencing productivity across Illumina's installed base of 8,901 NovaSeq X systems globally.

Illumina said the improvements will enable more complex and high-sensitivity applications, including oncology research, molecular residual disease testing and genetic disease studies, while lowering total cost of ownership. The roadmap also expands multiomic and high-throughput capabilities, allowing a broader range of applications to run at scale on a single instrument.

Additional updates include new flow cells, staggered starts and DRAGEN software enhancements. New kits will support varied batch sizes and longer read lengths, while staggered run capabilities will allow asynchronous sequencing to maximise utilisation. The upgrades will be deployed across all NovaSeq X systems, benefiting both existing and new customers.

The company said the advancements reinforce its position in next-generation sequencing, supporting research and clinical laboratories globally across oncology, reproductive health and other life sciences applications.