September 30, 2026. Roche Diagnostics has introduced its first large-scale DNA sequencer in Spain. The technology is capable of analysing a complete human genome in just four hours, significantly reducing the time required for conventional sequencing. The new instrument has been installed at CNAG in Barcelona. Its addition will significantly increase the centre’s sequencing capacity, helping to accelerate research into cancer, rare diseases and other conditions with a genetic basis.

 
 
The new Roche instrument enables biological samples to be sequenced at greater speed and scale while maintaining high accuracy. This improves the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the sequencing process, saving both time and resources in research and, in the future, potentially in clinical settings. Its versatility allows researchers to carry out both rapid, targeted studies and more complex projects on the same platform, extending its potential applications to areas such as research into complex diseases.
 
 
One of the instrument’s main innovations lies in the way it reads DNA. The system replicates the original genetic code while creating a new, larger molecule using structures known as “Xpandomers”. The resulting product is approximately 50 times larger than the reference DNA, making it easier and more reliable to read the millions of base pairs that make up the human genome. This technology, together with reusable sensors and an advanced analysis module, enables ultra-fast analysis while maintaining high-quality results.
 
 
According to Adriana Rubio, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics Spain: “Bringing our first large-scale sequencer to Spain is an extraordinary milestone for precision medicine in our country and a clear reflection of our corporate mission to innovate to improve people’s lives. By making technology capable of decoding the complete genome in just four hours available, we are bringing unprecedented speed and accuracy to the genetic analysis ecosystem.” She also highlights that “we are very proud that the National Centre for Genomic Analysis (CNAG) is the first institution to host this platform. Collaborating with a leading centre in the field of genetics gives us the confidence to enter the Spanish large-scale sequencing landscape knowing that our technology can make a valuable contribution to the field.”
 
 
“At CNAG, we are committed to continuously renewing our genomic technology platform with the latest technologies available, helping us fulfil our mission to improve people’s health and quality of life. With Roche’s new large-scale sequencer, we will be able to reduce analysis times, providing hospitals and research centres with results much more quickly and accurately. Ultimately, our goal is to work together towards a greater understanding of our biology, uncovering the mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of disease,” says Dr Ivo Gut, Director of the National Centre for Genomic Analysis (CNAG).
 
The installation, representing an investment of nearly €660,000, has been made possible through funding from the European Union’s NextGeneration EU funds, via the ‘Plan Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia’ (PRTR).