Lonza and Oxford Nanopore Technologies Launch Direct RNA Sequencing Solution for GMP mRNA Quality Control
Nanopore sequencing combined with machine learning and dedicated workflows simplifies complex QC testing by measuring multiple critical quality attributes in one test
Technology designed to support scalable, high‑quality mRNA manufacturing, accelerates the path to market for mRNA products and enables improved quality and control strategies
Novel approach enables streamlined, multi-attribute QC release approach that supports the delivery of safe, high-quality mRNA products at scale
Basel, Switzerland, and Oxford, UK, 20 May 2026 — Oxford Nanopore Technologies, a company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, and Lonza today announced the launch of a new technology approach designed to modernize and accelerate GMP quality control testing for mRNA therapeutics. The solution combines direct RNA sequencing using nanopore technology with bespoke machine learning-based data analysis and customized software intended to help close the gap between the rapid pace of mRNA innovation and the slower evolution of analytical methods.
mRNA therapeutics have transformed the development of vaccines and advanced medicines, yet quality control testing of these products often depends on complex, single‑attribute assays, multiple analytical platforms and long turnaround times. These legacy approaches increase analytical burden and limit flexibility across development and manufacturing. The newly launched approach is designed to simplify mRNA quality control while maintaining the rigor required for GMP testing.
Oxford Nanopore’s direct RNA sequencing enables native sequencing of full‑length mRNA molecules without amplification. When combined with machine learning, the technology analyzes large numbers of individual RNA strands to generate robust consensus data, thereby enabling multiple critical quality attributes to be assessed within a single workflow. The method is sequence‑agnostic and designed as a scalable, platform‑based solution across mRNA products.
By consolidating multiple analytical readouts onto one platform, the integrated workflow significantly accelerates sample‑to‑result timelines, with the potential to reduce testing from weeks to less than one day. Automated data analysis and reporting are designed to deliver consistent, QC‑ready outputs that support decision‑making across the product lifecycle.
Sönke Stocker, Executive Director of R&D mRNA and External Innovation, Specialized Modalities, Lonza, commented: “The launch of this direct RNA sequencing technology represents an important step forward in how mRNA quality control can be performed. By combining nanopore sequencing with machine learning based analysis, we are introducing a simplified, multi-attribute approach that better aligns GMP quality control with the pace and complexity of modern mRNA development, while maintaining the rigor required for regulated manufacturing.”
“By integrating Oxford Nanopore’s direct RNA sequencing into Lonza’s QC environment, we are enabling a more comprehensive and scalable approach to mRNA quality control,” said Francis Van Parys, CEO, Oxford Nanopore Technologies. “This collaboration demonstrates how multi-attribute sequencing can simplify QC and support more efficient biopharma manufacturing.”
