10x Genomics Unlocks Whole Transcriptome Analysis in FFPE Tissues With New Visium Assay, Now Shipping

June 10, 2021 at 8:01 AM EDTPDF Version

Fueling Discovery in Preserved Tissue Samples to Advance Clinical Translational Research

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 10x Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TXG) today announced it is shipping its new Visium Spatial Gene Expression for FFPE (formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded) assay. The offering gives researchers access to the whole transcriptome across their entire tissue, enabling true unbiased discovery in FFPE samples for the first time. 

The product addresses customer demand for whole transcriptome spatial profiling of FFPE tissue blocks, especially in the area of translational research. FFPE processing can cause significant damage to nucleic acids, such as RNA, making it challenging to perform transcriptomic analyses. To address this, 10x Genomics developed groundbreaking new chemistry for Visium to be applied to FFPE tissues with similarly high sensitivity and the same spatial resolution as fresh frozen samples. The result is a product that combines the benefits of histological techniques with the massive throughput and discovery power of next generation sequencing, advancing discoveries in clinical research.

Researchers at institutions including the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Europe’s Wellcome Sanger Institute are already evaluating Visium for FFPE for their research in immuno-oncology and developmental neuroscience.

“This is the Century of Biology, and at 10x, we continue developing tools that can accelerate the mastery of biology to advance human health at an unprecedented pace,”  said Ben Hindson, 10x Genomics Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer.  “Our new Visium Spatial Gene Expression for FFPE is trailblazing technology that will help scientists gain a better understanding of biological processes and diseases.”

“The availability of a tool that will allow spatial whole transcriptome sequencing on archival tissue sections is a game changer,” said Dr. John Carpten, Professor and Chair of Translational Genomics at the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, Los Angeles. “This will provide us with the opportunity to assess cellular states in samples that are linked to treatment response and outcomes, and to do so in an unbiased way. 10x Genomics has been an amazing partner in providing commercial-grade innovative technologies to study the molecular features of tumors at the level of the whole transcriptome and with spatial resolution.”

The expanded reach of whole transcriptome analysis on FFPE samples holds promise for a new wave of high-impact studies using biobanked samples across disease areas ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases to inflammatory conditions. 

Key features of Visium Spatial Gene Expression for FFPE include:

  • Unbiased whole transcriptome analysis that enables true discovery 
  • Full tissue section coverage that removes analysis boundaries associated with predefined ROIs 
  • High cellular resolution with 1 to 10 cells per spot depending on tissue type
  • Compatibility with histological analyses, allowing for morphological context overlaid with transcriptomic analysis
  • Ready-to-use assay kit, eliminating the need for specialized instrumentation

The Visium for FFPE assay kit, which contains all the reagents and consumables needed for whole transcriptome analysis in entire human FFPE tissue sections (with options for 4 or 16 reactions per kit), is shipping today and is available for pre-order for mouse transcriptome. To learn more about Visium Spatial Gene Expression for FFPE, visit 10xgenomics.com/visium-ffpe

About 10x Genomics
10x Genomics is a life science technology company building products to interrogate, understand and master biology to advance human health. The company’s integrated solutions include instruments, consumables and software for analyzing biological systems at a resolution and scale that matches the complexity of biology. 10x Genomics products have been adopted by researchers around the world including in all of the top 100 global research institutions as ranked by Nature in 2019 based on publications and all of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies by 2019 research and development spend, and have been cited in over 2,500 research papers on discoveries ranging from oncology to immunology and neuroscience. The company’s patent portfolio comprises more than 1,100 issued patents and patent applications.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding 10x Genomics product performance, configuration and capabilities and adoption. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, forecasts, beliefs, assumptions and information currently available to management, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors, including the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other risks and uncertainties that could affect 10x Genomics, Inc.’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in the documents 10x Genomics, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Although 10x Genomics, Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot provide any assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct nor can it guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to 10x Genomics, Inc. as of the date hereof, and 10x Genomics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward- looking statements should not be relied upon as representing 10x Genomics, Inc.’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Disclosure Information
10x Genomics uses filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its website (www.10xgenomics.com), press releases, public conference calls, public webcasts and its social media accounts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.