Automation in Single-Cell Multiomics: Strategic Partnerships as Catalysts for Biotech Innovation

The biotechnology sector is undergoing a transformative shift as automation and single-cell multiomics converge to redefine the pace and scale of scientific discovery. At the forefront of this revolution is the collaboration between BD and Opentrons, a partnership that exemplifies how strategic alliances are accelerating innovation in disease research and drug development. By integrating robotic automation into BD's single-cell multiomics platforms, the two companies are addressing critical bottlenecks in throughput, reproducibility, and cost-efficiency-factors that are reshaping investment dynamics in the life sciences industry.

The BD-Opentrons Collaboration: A Blueprint for Scalable Innovation

BD and Opentrons have entered a multi-year partnership to automate key steps in single-cell multiomics workflows, particularly for the BD Rhapsody™ System. This integration with the Opentrons Flex® platform aims to create hands-free protocols for library preparation and cell capture, enabling labs to conduct million-cell studies with unprecedented speed and consistency, according to a Mordor Intelligence report. The collaboration leverages BD's expertise in single-cell biology and Opentrons' open-source automation ecosystem to democratize access to cutting-edge technologies, particularly for translational research labs with limited resources, as noted in an FT Markets announcement.

A key differentiator of this partnership is its focus on reproducibility. By standardizing workflows through automation, BD and Opentrons are tackling a persistent challenge in multiomics research: variability introduced by manual processes. For instance, the development of an automation-compatible module for next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation ensures that labs can scale experiments without compromising data quality, as described in the FT Markets announcement. This aligns with broader industry trends where reproducibility is increasingly seen as a non-negotiable requirement for regulatory approval and commercialization.

Market Dynamics: Growth, Drivers, and Investment Opportunities

The single-cell multiomics market is poised for explosive growth, driven by demand for precision medicine and advancements in AI-driven analytics. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market size was valued at USD 1.33 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.21 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.31%. Another analysis by a Zion Market Research report estimates an even higher CAGR of 21.5%, with the market expanding from USD 3.2 billion in 2024 to USD 22.4 billion by 2034.

Automation is a key enabler of this growth. Intelligent microfluidics and AI-powered pipelines are already achieving 98% cell-identification precision while reducing labor-intensive tasks, according to the Mordor Intelligence report. For example, Illumina's NovaSeq™ X Series, which integrates AI for genomic analysis, underscores how automation is becoming a standard in high-throughput research, as discussed in a Coherent Market Insights report. Investors are taking note: companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific and 10x Genomics are leading innovations in multiparameter profiling tools, which are critical for oncology and immunology applications, according to a Business Research Company analysis.

Strategic Alliances as a Competitive Edge

BD's collaboration with Opentrons is part of a broader strategy to dominate the automation-ready reagent market. Separately, BD has partnered with Hamilton to develop robotics-compatible kits for single-cell research, further solidifying its position in a space where standardization and scalability are paramount, as noted by The Business Research Company. These partnerships highlight a critical trend: companies that can integrate automation into end-to-end workflows will capture significant market share.

The competitive advantage of such alliances lies in their ability to reduce operational costs and accelerate time-to-insight. For instance, Opentrons' open-ecosystem approach allows labs to customize protocols without proprietary lock-in, fostering adoption in both academic and commercial settings, as described in the FT Markets announcement. Meanwhile, Hamilton's liquid-handling platforms, combined with BD's reagents, address the need for high-throughput automation in drug discovery pipelines, according to The Business Research Company.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite the optimism, challenges persist. High capital expenditures for automation systems and a shortage of bioinformatics talent could slow adoption in the short term, as highlighted by Zion Market Research. However, the integration of AI into multiomics analysis-such as machine learning tools for processing complex datasets-is mitigating these barriers by reducing reliance on manual interpretation, according to The Business Research Company.

For investors, the key is to focus on companies that not only develop automation hardware but also build ecosystems around data analytics and reagent compatibility. BD's dual partnerships with Opentrons and Hamilton, for example, create a closed-loop system where hardware, software, and consumables are optimized for performance. This holistic approach is likely to drive long-term value, particularly as regulatory frameworks for single-cell therapies evolve.

Conclusion

The BD-Opentrons collaboration is more than a technical partnership-it is a strategic response to the demands of a rapidly maturing market. By automating single-cell multiomics workflows, the two companies are addressing scalability, reproducibility, and cost-efficiency, all of which are critical for translating research into clinical applications. As the market grows at a double-digit CAGR, investors who prioritize companies with robust automation ecosystems and cross-industry partnerships will be well-positioned to capitalize on the next wave of biotech innovation.