Volta Labs provides Callisto, a fully automated, sequencer‑agnostic sample‑preparation platform that creates high‑quality DNA libraries for whole‑genome and targeted next‑generation sequencing. Using digital fluidics and pre‑validated workflows, the system handles up to 24 samples with minimal hands‑on time, supports a wide range of chemistries and sample types, and delivers >98% robustness while reducing consumable costs through reagent miniaturization.
Funding
$12.7M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
VGFounders
Product
Problem
Laboratories performing next‑generation sequencing often rely on manual or semi‑automated sample‑prep workflows that require extensive hands‑on time, specialized training, and careful protocol tuning. This leads to variable library quality, high repeat rates, and elevated consumable costs, especially when supporting multiple sample types and sequencing platforms.
Solution
Volta Labs offers Callisto, a fully automated, sequencer‑agnostic sample‑preparation system that delivers consistent, high‑quality DNA libraries for whole‑genome and targeted sequencing. The platform uses digital fluidics to precisely handle reagents and samples, enabling a “walk‑away” experience where users load up to 24 samples, select a pre‑validated app, and let the instrument run without supervision. By supporting a broad range of chemistries (Illumina, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, Twist, NEB, KAPA, Qiagen, Watchmaker) and sample types (whole blood, buffy coat, cell‑free DNA, cell lines), Callisto eliminates the need for method development and reduces repeat processing. The system’s high robustness (>98%) and reagent miniaturization lower operating costs while maintaining clinical‑grade library metrics such as uniform fragment sizes and low duplication rates. Users can achieve full setup in ~30 minutes and obtain ready‑to‑sequence libraries after 3 hours of hands‑free runtime.
Target Audience
Callisto is aimed at clinical genetics laboratories, academic genomics cores, and commercial NGS service providers that need scalable, reproducible library preparation across multiple sequencing technologies.
Features
- Fully automated digital fluidics platform with pre‑loaded, validated workflows for whole‑genome and targeted sequencing
- Sequencer‑agnostic design supporting Illumina, PacBio SMRTbell 3.0, Oxford Nanopore LSK114, and other major platforms
- Chemistry‑agnostic compatibility with reagents from Illumina, NEB, Twist, KAPA/Roche, Qiagen, Watchmaker Genomics, etc.
- High robustness (>98%) across diverse sample types (whole blood, buffy coat, cell‑free DNA, cell lines)
- Minimal hands‑on time (<30 min setup) and true walk‑away operation for up to 24 samples per run
- Reagent miniaturization and high‑density processing to reduce consumable waste and per‑sample cost
- Intuitive touchscreen interface with guided workflow selection, requiring no specialized training