Illumina, Inc. is an American biotechnology company headquartered in San Diego, California. It supplies part of the infrastructure needed to explore the genome: sequencers, reagents, genotyping arrays and computing tools. Its customers include universities, research centers, healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Its website, illumina.com, presents its platforms and their scientific and medical applications.
From genetic arrays to large-scale sequencing
Founded in 1998, Illumina initially grew around technologies for studying genetic variation using arrays. Its acquisition of Solexa in 2007 marked a turning point: it brought the company a sequencing technology that became the foundation of its business. The principle involves reading a very large number of DNA fragments simultaneously, then reconstructing and analyzing the information using software.
This approach has accompanied the decline in sequencing costs and its adoption in laboratories. The company’s recent history has also been marked by Grail, a specialist in early cancer detection. Its acquisition prompted antitrust proceedings in the United States and Europe, before a separation in 2024.
A technology chain, from sample to data
The core offering is based on short-read sequencing. Platforms such as NovaSeq X and NextSeq cater to different workloads, from targeted projects to programs covering large numbers of genomes. The instruments operate with dedicated consumables, including reagents and flow cells: their recurring use is an important component of the business model.
Applications range from the study of rare diseases to cancer research, as well as gene expression analysis and infectious agent surveillance. Illumina also markets arrays for identifying known genetic variations without sequencing an entire genome. Depending on the products and local approvals, the equipment is intended for research or may incorporate diagnostic uses.
The computing layer plays a central role. With tools including DRAGEN and BaseSpace, the company offers solutions for processing, storing and making use of the data generated. However, turning a raw read into an interpretable result requires bioinformatics expertise and, in a clinical setting, appropriate validation.
What next?
Following the separation from Grail, the challenge is to strengthen its core business while expanding the uses of sequencing. Illumina operates in a competitive landscape that includes other short-read platforms and long-read technologies, which are useful for exploring certain complex regions of the genome. Its trajectory will depend as much on the total cost of analyses as on their reliability and operational simplicity. Integration into care pathways will remain tied to evidence of clinical utility, reimbursement and the protection of genetic data.