RareCyte Broadens Clinical-Scale Spatial Proteomics Offering with New Orion Systems and Leadership Addition
RareCyte has announced a major expansion of its spatial proteomics capabilities, marking a strategic step forward in its mission to advance biomarker-driven research and precision medicine. The company introduced two new systems—Orion HT and Orion LE—as part of its growing Orion platform, while also naming Neil Kennedy as President. Together, these developments underscore RareCyte’s intent to accelerate the integration of spatial proteomics into both clinical and translational research environments.
At the core of this announcement is the continued evolution of the Orion platform, which has been purpose-built to deliver high-plex spatial proteomics with the performance characteristics required for modern clinical research. Spatial proteomics, a rapidly advancing field within proteomics, enables scientists to study the spatial distribution and interactions of proteins within tissue samples. This capability is especially critical in oncology and immunology, where understanding the tumor microenvironment and immune response can directly influence therapeutic strategies. The Orion platform is designed to address these needs by combining high sensitivity, reproducibility, and throughput—key requirements for translating laboratory discoveries into clinically actionable insights.
The addition of Orion HT and Orion LE significantly broadens the platform’s applicability across the continuum of translational research. From early-stage assay development and biomarker validation to large-scale clinical trial execution, these systems are intended to support researchers at every phase of the development pipeline. According to company leadership, this expansion reflects a deliberate strategy to bridge the gap between discovery science and clinical implementation.
The flagship of the new offerings, Orion HT, is engineered for high-throughput, clinical-scale biomarker programs. It introduces advanced automation capabilities, including 24/7 hands-off operation supported by a 30-slide loading system, allowing laboratories to process large volumes of samples with minimal manual intervention. A key differentiator of Orion HT is its 20-channel whole-slide scanning capability, which enables simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers within a single tissue section. This level of multiplexing, combined with robust accuracy and reproducibility, positions Orion HT as a powerful tool for generating clinically relevant spatial data at scale.
The system is already generating interest among clinical research organizations. Navigate Biopharma Solutions has highlighted its potential for enabling multiplex immunofluorescence assays in regulated clinical trial settings. By leveraging Orion HT, researchers can efficiently conduct high-plex biomarker testing, which is increasingly essential for patient stratification and therapy response monitoring in oncology trials. The ability to run such assays in a compliant environment further enhances its appeal for pharmaceutical and biotech partners seeking reliable clinical data.
Complementing the high-throughput capabilities of Orion HT, Orion LE offers a more accessible and streamlined solution tailored for earlier stages of research. Designed for biomarker panel development, assay optimization, and exploratory translational studies, Orion LE provides researchers with the tools needed to refine and validate their assays before scaling up. This dual-system approach allows organizations to seamlessly transition from discovery to clinical application without needing to switch platforms.
The scientific community has also recognized the potential of Orion LE in advancing cancer research. At the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, researchers are utilizing the system to analyze formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from cancer patients. These analyses enable high-resolution mapping of antitumor immune responses within the tumor microenvironment, as well as the spatial organization of surrounding healthy cells. Such insights are critical for understanding disease mechanisms and identifying new therapeutic targets. By combining high multiplexing capabilities with robust performance on clinically relevant samples, Orion LE serves as a bridge between basic research and clinical pathology.
Beyond instrumentation, RareCyte is reinforcing its position in spatial biology through an expanded reagent portfolio. The company now offers more than 200 validated antibodies, developed in collaboration with leading pharmaceutical partners. These reagents are essential for designing multiplex biomarker panels, enabling researchers to interrogate multiple protein targets simultaneously. RareCyte plans to grow this portfolio to over 300 antibodies by the end of 2026, providing even greater flexibility and confidence for scientists developing complex assays.
In addition to its product offerings, RareCyte provides end-to-end services through its Seattle-based CLIA-certified laboratory. These services support biotech and pharmaceutical companies in developing and validating assays before transferring them to contract research organizations (CROs) for large-scale clinical trials. This integrated approach ensures consistency and reproducibility across different stages of development, addressing a common challenge in translational research. By aligning instrument technology, reagents, and laboratory services, RareCyte aims to streamline the adoption of spatial proteomics across the industry.
The appointment of Neil Kennedy as President further strengthens the company’s leadership team at a pivotal moment of growth. Kennedy brings extensive experience in life sciences and commercial strategy, having previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Curio Bioscience prior to its acquisition by Takara Bio USA. In his new role, he will focus on scaling RareCyte’s commercial operations, including sales and marketing, to support expanding demand in clinical research markets. His expertise in spatial biology is expected to play a key role in driving adoption of the Orion platform globally.
Kennedy emphasized that spatial biology is undergoing a significant transition—from a primarily discovery-focused discipline to one with direct clinical applications. RareCyte’s strategy is centered on enabling this shift by providing integrated solutions that support researchers from early biomarker discovery through to clinical trial execution. With the combined strength of its expanded platform, growing reagent portfolio, and laboratory services, the company aims to accelerate the pace at which spatial insights can be translated into improved patient outcomes.
RareCyte will showcase its latest innovations at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place from April 17 to 22 in San Diego. At booth #1823, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the capabilities of the Orion platform and learn how these technologies are shaping the future of precision medicine.
Overall, the launch of Orion HT and Orion LE, combined with strategic leadership and portfolio expansion, represents a significant milestone for RareCyte. As spatial proteomics continues to gain traction in clinical and translational research, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, offering tools and solutions designed to unlock deeper biological insights and drive the next generation of biomarker-driven healthcare.
About RareCyte
RareCyte is advancing a new generation of high-precision platforms for clinical and translational research. The company’s spatial biology and liquid biopsy systems, consumables, and reagents deliver reliable, reproducible data to support biomarker development and enable precision biology at clinical scale.
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