ADLM 2026 day 1 round-up

The exhibition hall officially opened its doors today at ADLM 2026, bringing together laboratory professionals, diagnostic innovators, and industry leaders from around the world for what promises to be a landmark week in laboratory medicine.

Across a packed first day of interviews, press conferences, technology demonstrations, and industry discussions, one theme emerged again and again: laboratories are entering a new era where automation, connectivity, and artificial intelligence are becoming central to clinical decision-making and operational efficiency.

From major strategic announcements and executive insights to conversations on genomics, workflow optimisation, and digital transformation, Day 1 provided an early glimpse of the technologies and trends set to shape the future of diagnostics.

Industry leaders outline the future of diagnostics

The day began with discussions and presentations from some of the biggest names in laboratory medicine, including Siemens Healthineers, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waters, Danaher, Beckman Coulter, Bio-Rad, Sysmex, DiaSorin, and Hamilton.

Among the highlights was SelectScience's interview with Kathy Davy, President of Next Generation Sequencing at Thermo Fisher Scientific, who shared her perspective on the growing role of automation and artificial intelligence in clinical genomics, and discussed whether next-generation sequencing is becoming increasingly realistic for broader clinical laboratory adoption.

Precision diagnostics was another key topic throughout the day. SelectScience spoke with Colin Hill, Chief Commercial Officer at LGC Diagnostics and Genomics, about the importance of quality assurance, reproducibility, and standardised reference materials in supporting the next generation of diagnostics. Discussions also explored barriers to precision medicine adoption and where artificial intelligence may help laboratories unlock greater value from increasingly complex diagnostic data.

Meanwhile, experts from Siemens Healthineers discussed opportunities for earlier identification of liver fibrosis through non-invasive testing approaches such as the ELF™ Test. The conversation highlighted the increasingly important role laboratories can play in supporting earlier intervention and improving long-term patient outcomes through biomarker testing.

AI shifts from theory to real-world application

Artificial intelligence was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about topics across the exhibition hall.

Unlike previous years, where discussions often centred on future possibilities, conversations at ADLM 2026 focused increasingly on implementation. Across interviews and industry discussions, organisations described how AI-powered technologies are already supporting workflow efficiency, data interpretation, laboratory productivity, and clinical decision-making.

The conversation with Thermo Fisher Scientific highlighted how AI is helping laboratories manage increasingly complex genomic data, while discussions with LGC explored the role AI may play in supporting confidence, consistency, and quality across diagnostic workflows.

What became clear throughout the day was that laboratories are no longer asking whether AI will play a role in diagnostics. Instead, the conversation has shifted towards identifying where it can deliver measurable benefits and how it can be implemented responsibly within highly regulated clinical environments.

As laboratories continue to face staffing shortages, increasing testing volumes, and growing data complexity, many industry leaders see AI as an important part of the solution.

Innovation on display across the exhibition floor

Day 1 offered an opportunity to explore a broad range of technologies spanning molecular diagnostics, pathology, laboratory automation, quality assurance, mass spectrometry, and digital health.

One notable example was a presentation by Dr Scott McKeown of Randox, who explored the challenges associated with cytokine storm detection and management in critically ill patients. The session highlighted the potential of the company's MultiSTAT near-patient cytokine testing solution to provide clinicians with faster access to actionable information in critical care settings.

The SelectScience team also spoke with Michele Zwickl, Senior Vice President, Commercial Laboratory Solutions, North America, Siemens Healthineers, about evolving expectations of laboratory services and how healthcare organisations are prioritising investments in technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and clinical impact. Discussions also explored the next generation of innovation within the core laboratory and the increasing pressures laboratories face as testing demands continue to rise.

From next-generation sequencing platforms and advanced automation solutions to emerging software tools designed to simplify laboratory processes, exhibitors demonstrated how innovation continues to accelerate across every area of laboratory medicine.

Collaboration remains a key driver of progress

While technology took centre stage throughout the exhibition hall, collaboration was another recurring theme.

Many of the day's discussions highlighted the importance of partnerships between manufacturers, laboratories, healthcare providers, and industry stakeholders. Whether through strategic investment, co-development initiatives, or customer collaboration, organisations repeatedly emphasised that solving healthcare's biggest challenges will require collective effort.

This was reflected in SelectScience's interview with Dr Tony Lacroix, Director of Control Systems at HiArc, who discussed the challenges associated with bringing regulated medical technologies to market. Conversations focused on how improved engineering workflows and collaboration can help accelerate innovation while reducing development risks across diagnostics, life sciences, and robotics applications.

That spirit was evident across the show floor as scientists, clinicians, laboratory leaders, and technology providers gathered to share experiences, discuss emerging challenges, and explore opportunities for future innovation.

Scientists' Choice Awards celebrate industry excellence

Day 1 concluded with one of the week's most anticipated events: the Scientists' Choice Awards® and SelectScience Networking Reception.

Scientists, laboratory leaders, clinicians, and industry experts gathered to celebrate innovation and discuss the developments shaping the future of laboratory medicine. Guests enjoyed an evening of networking before hearing industry insights from Kerry Parker, CEO of SelectScience, alongside Kelly Sager, Danaher, and Duncan Porter, Siemens Healthineers, before the announcement of this year's Scientists' Choice Award winners.

Hosted by SelectScience, the awards recognise the products and technologies that have earned the trust of scientists worldwide. Unlike many industry awards, Scientists' Choice Award winners are determined by scientists themselves, providing a unique reflection of the technologies delivering real-world impact across laboratories today.

This year's winners showcased the breadth of innovation currently shaping laboratory medicine, highlighting advances in automation, molecular diagnostics, analytical technologies, and workflow solutions.

Full coverage of the winners, exclusive interviews, and photographs from the event will be available on SelectScience shortly.

Looking ahead to Day 2

If Day 1 is any indication, ADLM 2026 is set to be a week filled with innovation, insight, and industry-defining conversations.

Tomorrow's schedule includes additional executive interviews, panel discussions, technology demonstrations, attendee interviews, and exclusive conversations with some of the biggest names in diagnostics and laboratory medicine.

The SelectScience team will continue reporting live from Anaheim, bringing you the latest news, expert perspectives, and innovation highlights as they happen.

Written by Sonia Nicholas and Olivia Long, reporting from ADLM 2026 in Anaheim, California.

Follow SelectScience throughout ADLM 2026 for exclusive interviews, daily round-up articles, Scientists' Choice Awards coverage, and the latest news from the exhibition floor.