SPT Labtech and Agilent Technologies have introduced automated target enrichment protocols for genomic sequencing workflows, enabling laboratories to improve throughput and reproducibility in clinical research, oncology, and precision medicine.

The protocols, developed for SPT Labtech’s firefly+ liquid handling platform, are designed to support researchers using Agilent’s SureSelect Max DNA Library Prep Kits. Available immediately to all firefly+ users through the firefly community cloud, the workflows allow for automated preparation of sequencing libraries using Agilent’s target enrichment chemistry.

Developed jointly by SPT Labtech’s applications team and Agilent’s R&D and product specialists, the protocols were validated on Agilent’s Exome V8 and Comprehensive Cancer Panel (CGP) kits and are applicable across the company’s full target enrichment portfolio.

SPT Labtech said the collaboration provides laboratories with a streamlined and flexible workflow capable of reducing manual intervention and error rates while improving data consistency.

Morten Frost, chief commercial officer at SPT Labtech, said: “Making these protocols available today is a critical step in addressing bottlenecks across sequencing workflows. By combining Agilent’s gold-standard chemistry with firefly+ automation, we are helping labs scale sequencing faster, more reliably, and with greater efficiency.”

Nina Green, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Clinical Diagnostic Division, added: “Agilent’s SureSelect Max DNA Library Prep Kit delivers the robust chemistry and high performance that labs demand for target enrichment. We are pleased to partner with SPT on enabling the first Target Enrichment protocol on the firefly+, enabling researchers to scale their sequencing workflows with greater efficiency.”

SPT Labtech said the collaboration reflects growing demand for automated solutions that integrate with established genomic chemistries. Firefly+, which combines pipetting, dispensing, and incubation capabilities in a compact benchtop format, aims to simplify complex library preparation steps and improve consistency across high-throughput sequencing applications.

While the protocols will be demonstrated at the upcoming American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2025 meeting in Boston, SPT Labtech said the software and documentation are already accessible to registered firefly+ users worldwide.