Overview
Visium HD, a recent breakthrough from 10x Genomics, offers advanced spatial gene expression analysis at a single cell-scale resolution. This innovation improves upon the original Visium Spatial Gene Expression platform by allowing researchers to measure transcriptome spatial gene expression in FFPE tissue sections with unparalleled precision. The instrument distinguishes itself by detecting up to 11 million features within a grid of 2 μm squares. This is a notable advancement from the previous detection capability of 5,000 features spread across 55 μm spots.
Michael Schnall-Levin, PhD, CTO and founding scientist at 10x Genomics, highlighted the transformative nature of Visium HD. The technology permits detailed FFPE tissue examination and comprehensive gene expression analysis across the human genome at a single cell resolution. This in-depth exploration provides researchers with a clearer understanding of gene expression patterns, which were previously averaged out in lower resolution technologies.
New Features and Capabilities
Visium HD introduces several new capabilities:
- Sequencing-based spatial transcriptomics data: This enhancement offers a precise mapping of gene expression, utilizing workflows specific to the Visium CytAssist.
- Enhanced histology: Visium HD integrates hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunofluorescence (IF) imaging with high-resolution spatial transcriptomics within the same tissue section.
- Advanced analysis and visualization tools: Updated versions of Space Ranger (v3.0) and Loupe Browser (v8.0) support seamless data interpretation, combining histological and gene expression information to boost discovery and exploration.
Historical Context and Market Segments
Since its founding in 2012, 10x Genomics has sold almost 6,000 instruments, including more than 500 Visium CytAssist units as of December 2023. Visium’s widespread adoption is evident, with more than 2,900 labs globally employing the platform since its inception in 2019.
Visium HD comes with a list price of around $12,500 for a 4-reaction kit, which is about 1.75 times the cost of the standard Visium CytAssist. The CytAssist, launched in 2022, was designed to optimize the Visium workflow by enhancing sample handling and data quality for spatial transcriptomics studies.
Visium HD went through various stages of development and faced considerable manufacturing challenges. The commercial shipping of Visium HD kicked off this week after overcoming these hurdles, assisted by the acquisition of assets and intellectual property from Centrillion Technologies. This agreement involved a series of milestone-based payments, totaling $61.3 million, reflecting the investment needed to scale production.
Applications and Impacts
The Visium HD platform is poised for significant applications in areas like oncology, immunology, and neuroscience by offering insights into cellular compositions and spatial gene expression patterns. Early tests revealed Visium HD’s precision in identifying tumor borders in human breast cancer and distinguishing cellular layers in mouse eyes.
10x Genomics anticipates significant customer interest, including both existing users of the Visium platform and new adopters long-awaiting high-resolution capabilities. According to Serge Saxonov, PhD, 10x co-founder and CEO, Visium HD is expected to greatly expand the customer base and market reach.
Financial Performance and Future Projections
10x Genomics categorizes its spatial products, including Visium and Xenium In Situ, under the “Spatial” revenue segment. This segment witnessed substantial growth, with instrument revenue surging to nearly $75.6 million in 2023 from $13.8 million the previous year. Consumables revenue also saw a sharp rise, attributing significant contributions to the overall sales from Q4 cycles.
While the Visium and Xenium platforms hold considerable promise, the company’s leading revenue comes from the Chromium Single Cell Immune Profiling platform. Launched in 2016, it generated $58.6 million in instrument sales and a colossal $420.3 million from consumables in 2023 alone.
Community and Social Engagement
The scientific community has shown great enthusiasm for Visium HD. For instance, Luciano Martelotto, PhD, recognized the potential of this technology in a recent social media post. He referred to upcoming developments as “mind-blowing, batshit crazy stuff,” highlighting the excitement among researchers.
Nadav Yayon, a postdoc at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, utilized Visium HD to demonstrate cutting-edge techniques at a recent talk, emphasizing its significant potential in advancing stem cell research and medicine.
Key Competitors
Visium HD faces competition primarily from NanoString Technologies and Curio Bioscience. These companies offer comparable instruments aimed at single cell spatial resolution and similar applications in spatial biology.
Enhanced Data Interpretation
Visium HD is set to revolutionize how researchers investigate gene expression:
- Histological Insights: Integration with H&E and IF imaging provides comprehensive tissue analysis from a single section.
- Data Integration: Advanced tools like Space Ranger and Loupe streamline the merging of histological and gene expression data.
- Universal Sample Prep: Compatibility with both human and mouse FFPE samples simplifies the workflow, ensuring a broad range of applications.
Visium HD exemplifies the future trajectory of spatial biology, enhancing single cell-scale resolution and enabling deeper insights into the whole transcriptome. This platform not only furthers the capabilities of 10x Genomics but also sets a new standard for spatial transcriptomics and gene expression analysis.
