Techcyte wins 2026 Innovation Award from Sonora Quest Laboratories

Techcyte received Sonora Quest Laboratories’ 2026 Innovation Award during the lab’s Strategic Supplier Summit on Sept. 8, 2026. The recognition highlights Techcyte’s AI-assisted digital microbiology workflow, which Sonora Quest went live with in April.

Why it matters: - The award signals growing lab demand for AI-assisted digital workflows in microbiology. - Sonora Quest Laboratories is using Techcyte’s platform to support ova and parasite screening, a workflow affected by technologist recruiting and retention challenges. - The recognition may help validate broader adoption of digital pathology tools across microbiology applications.

What happened: - Techcyte received the 2026 Innovation Award from Sonora Quest Laboratories during the organization’s Strategic Supplier Summit on Sept. 8, 2026. - Techcyte was one of about 30 suppliers selected from more than 1,000 Sonora Quest Laboratories suppliers to attend the summit. - Techcyte was one of five organizations recognized with a Supplier of Excellence award. - Jacob Hicks, Techcyte vice president of sales, accepted the award on-site.

The details: - The Innovation Award recognizes Techcyte’s work with Sonora Quest Laboratories to bring AI-assisted digital workflows into the laboratory. - Sonora Quest Laboratories went live with the Techcyte Fusion® Parasitology Suite in April 2026. - The suite combines digital slide viewing, case management and AI-assisted analysis in one workflow. - The workflow is designed to support laboratories performing ova and parasite examinations. - Sonora Quest Laboratories is a joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics. - The initial deployment focuses on parasitology. - Techcyte and Sonora Quest Laboratories are also working on opportunities to expand digital workflows into additional microbiology applications. - Sonora Quest Laboratories will join Techcyte for a Pioneers in Digital Pathology webinar on Sept. 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. MDT. - Webinar attendees will hear about Sonora Quest Laboratories’ experience implementing digital pathology and AI-assisted workflows. - Registration for the webinar is available through the company announcement here and social channels listed in the release.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a broader shift in lab operations toward automation and digital review tools. - Techcyte’s partnership with a large lab network gives the company a public example of real-world adoption, not just product positioning. - Sonora Quest’s focus on workflow modernization suggests the technology is being used to address staffing and throughput pressure, not only to add new capabilities.

What's next: - Techcyte and Sonora Quest Laboratories plan to continue exploring expansion beyond parasitology. - Sonora Quest Laboratories will discuss its implementation in the upcoming webinar on Sept. 24. - The partnership may provide a template for additional AI-assisted microbiology rollouts if the initial deployment continues to prove useful.

The bottom line: - Techcyte’s award underscores that AI-assisted digital pathology is moving from concept to operating lab workflow.