What Illumina does

Illumina is a US-headquartered (San Diego, California) public life-sciences technology company founded in 1998 that develops and commercializes next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, microarray systems, reagents, and bioinformatics software for genomic analysis. Its core instruments — the NovaSeq X Plus, NextSeq 1000/2000, MiSeq i100, iSeq 100, and MiniSeq — are built on proprietary XLEAP-SBS chemistry and are paired with library preparation kits (Illumina DNA Prep, AmpliSeq, TruSeq, Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep), specialty assays (TruSight Oncology, VeriSeq NIPT, StrataMap Spatial, TruPath Genome, WGS MRD Research Solution), and a software stack that includes DRAGEN secondary analysis, BaseSpace Sequence Hub, Illumina Connected Multiomics, Illumina Connected Analytics, Illumina Connected Insights, Emedgene, Clarity LIMS, and the Correlation Engine. The company holds approximately 70% market share in the $7.3 billion gene-sequencing market and operates an installed base of 8,901 NovaSeq X systems globally.

Illumina generates revenue through a platform-plus-consumables-plus-software model: instrument sales (NovaSeq X Plus, NextSeq, MiSeq i100, iSeq 100, MiniSeq, MiSeqDx, NextSeq 550Dx), high-margin recurring consumables (reagents, flow cells, kits — the majority of sequencing revenue, with clinical consumables now exceeding 65% of the consumables mix and growing 20% ex-China), subscription and license revenue from DRAGEN, BaseSpace, and Connected platforms, and instrument service contracts. Distribution is hybrid: enterprise field sales teams targeting pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, and healthcare systems, supplemented by regional channel partner networks across Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Europe, Greater China, and Latin America, plus a self-serve MyIllumina portal and Illumina for Startups program.

Customer segments are anchored in oncology research and clinical applications, genetic and rare disease research, reproductive health, pharmaceutical and biotech research, population genomics, and microbiology/public health. Notable end users and partners include Mayo Clinic, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Merck, Eli Lilly, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Florida State University College of Medicine, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital. FY2025 revenue was $4.39 billion with a 68% gross margin; Q1 2026 revenue grew 4.8% year-over-year to $1.09 billion, and FY2026 guidance has been raised to $4.52–$4.62 billion.

Name

Illumina

Legal name

Illumina, Inc.

Website

https://illumina.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Illumina is a San Diego-based public provider of next-generation sequencing platforms, consumables, and bioinformatics software serving pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, research institutions, and healthcare systems globally, holding roughly 70% of the $7.3 billion gene-sequencing market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics Sequencing Instruments and Consumables

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genomics & Molecular Diagnostics (Trial Support) (HLAGAEAD), Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD), Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Services (HLAGANAA), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• DNA sequencing platforms
• Next-generation sequencing
• Genomics instruments
• Bioinformatics software
• Clinical genomics solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Sequencing Instruments: Sale of NGS platforms including NovaSeq X Series, NextSeq 1000/2000, MiSeq i100, iSeq 100, and MiniSeq systems. Instruments represent capital equipment purchases with long replacement cycles.
2. Sequencing Consumables: Recurring revenue from reagents, flow cells, library preparation kits, and sequencing kits. Clinical consumables grew 20% ex-China for second consecutive quarter. Consumables represent the majority of sequencing revenue.
3. Microarray Products: Infinium arrays, microarray scanners, and related reagents for genetic analysis applications.
4. Software & Informatics: Subscription and license revenue from DRAGEN, BaseSpace Sequence Hub, Illumina Connected Analytics, Connected Insights, Clarity LIMS, and other bioinformatics platforms.
5. Services & Support: Instrument service contracts, technical support, training, sequencing services, and microarray services.
6. Clinical Products: IVD instruments (MiSeqDx, NextSeq 550Dx), VeriSeq NIPT Solution, TruSight Oncology products, and clinical research products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Illumina designs, manufactures, and sells next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, microarray systems, and associated consumables and bioinformatics software that enable DNA, RNA, and multiomics analysis. Its portfolio spans benchtop to production-scale instruments (NovaSeq X Plus, NextSeq 1000/2000, MiSeq i100, iSeq 100, MiniSeq, NovaSeq 6000), library preparation and reagent kits, clinical in-vitro diagnostic products, and secondary analysis software such as DRAGEN, BaseSpace Sequence Hub, Illumina Connected Multiomics, and Illumina Connected Insights.

Product overview

Illumina offers a comprehensive, integrated genomics ecosystem encompassing sequencing platforms (NovaSeq X Plus, NextSeq 1000/2000, MiSeq i100, iSeq 100, MiniSeq, NovaSeq 6000), microarray systems (Infinium Arrays, iScan), library preparation kits (Illumina DNA Prep, Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep, AmpliSeq, Illumina Single Cell 3' RNA Prep), and an extensive bioinformatics software suite (DRAGEN Secondary Analysis, BaseSpace Sequence Hub, Illumina Connected Multiomics, Illumina Connected Analytics, Illumina Connected Insights, Emedgene, Clarity LIMS, Correlation Engine). The portfolio also includes spatial biology (Illumina StrataMap Spatial Solution), oncology research (TruSight Oncology Product Family, Pillar Biosciences oncoReveal Panels, WGS MRD Research Solution), proteomics (SOMAmer Proteomics Portfolio following the SomaLogic acquisition, Illumina Protein Prep), epigenetics (Illumina 5-base Solution), infectious disease assays (COVIDSeq), and IVD instruments (MiSeqDx, NextSeq 550Dx, VeriSeq NIPT Solution). Specialized planning tools (NGS Workflow Finder, DesignStudio, Coverage Calculator) support the workflow. The architecture is a platform-plus-consumables-plus-software model: sequencing instruments (NovaSeq X Plus and NextSeq as core platforms) generate consumables demand (kits, reagents, panels) while the bioinformatics suite (DRAGEN, BaseSpace, Connected platforms) powers data analysis across multiomics, spatial, oncology, and clinical applications. Recent additions include StrataMap Spatial Solution (June 2026), the WGS MRD Research Solution (May 2026), fireflyGO automation platform with SPT Labtech (May 2026), the TruPath Genome solution, the 5-base chemistry, and SOMAmer proteomics following the SomaLogic acquisition. NovaSeq X Plus hosts an 18-month innovation roadmap including Q70 quality scores and 40% output increases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TruSight Oncology: Comprehensive pan-cancer profiling platform for oncology research
• StrataMap
• DRAGEN
• NovaSeq X Series
• MiSeq i100 Series
• NextSeq 1000/2000
• BaseSpace Sequence Hub
• Illumina Connected Analytics
• Illumina Connected Insights
• iHope
• Illumina 5-base solution
• Illumina Protein Prep
• TruPath Genome
• VeriSeq NIPT
• Infinium Arrays
• Pillar Biosciences oncoReveal

Products and services

• NovaSeq X Plus Highest-throughput production-scale NGS platform using XLEAP-SBS chemistry and patterned flow cells, sequencing up to 35 billion reads per run. Used by large research centers, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies for whole-genome sequencing, oncology, MRD testing, and genetic disease research.
• NextSeq 1000 & 2000 Mid-throughput NGS platforms offering scalable output from research to clinical applications using patterned flow cells, supporting a broad range of sequencing applications.
• MiSeq i100 Series Benchtop sequencer optimized for targeted sequencing, small genome, and amplicon sequencing in research and clinical settings. Compatible with fireflyGO automation platform.
• iSeq 100 Compact, affordable benchtop sequencer for small-scale targeted sequencing and validation workflows using patterned flow cell technology.
• MiniSeq Benchtop sequencing system for targeted panels and small-scale projects, offering an accessible entry point for focused genomics workflows.
• NovaSeq 6000 High-throughput sequencing system providing massive scale for large population studies, translational research, and clinical genomics programs.
• Infinium Arrays Microarray product line for genetic analysis at any scale, offering high-throughput genotyping, copy number analysis, and methylation profiling.
• iScan System High-performance microarray scanning instrument that reads Infinium BeadChips and other Illumina microarray formats with high dynamic range and throughput.
• MiSeqDx Instrument FDA-cleared in vitro diagnostic sequencing instrument for clinical laboratory use, enabling clinical diagnostics workflows including cystic fibrosis testing with TruSight Cystic Fibrosis assay.
• NextSeq 550Dx Instrument FDA-cleared IVD next-generation sequencing instrument supporting a broad range of genomic testing applications in clinical laboratories.
• VeriSeq NIPT Solution FDA-cleared noninvasive prenatal testing solution for aneuploidy screening using cell-free DNA from maternal blood, offered as a complete workflow for clinical laboratory use.
• DRAGEN Secondary Analysis Hardware-accelerated secondary analysis pipeline for fast, accurate processing of sequencing data including germline/somatic variant calling, RNA expression, enrichment, methylation, single-cell RNA, and protein quantification. Deployed on instrument, cloud, or local server.
• BaseSpace Sequence Hub Cloud-based genomics data management and analysis platform providing instrument control, workflow management, and collaborative tools for Illumina sequencing systems.
• Illumina Connected Multiomics Cloud-based multiomic data analysis and visualization platform that streamlines integration of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomics data for research teams.
• Illumina Connected Analytics Enterprise-scale cloud platform for genomic data management, analysis pipelines, and secure collaboration across large research organizations and pharma partnerships.
• Illumina Connected Insights Cloud-based platform for clinical NGS data analysis in oncology, integrating genomic findings with clinical knowledge bases for variant interpretation and reporting.
• Emedgene AI-powered genomic interpretation platform for rare disease and clinical genomics, automating variant classification and enabling collaborative interpretation workflows.
• Clarity LIMS Laboratory information management system for managing samples, workflows, and operational data across genomics laboratories, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance.
• TruSight Oncology Product Family Comprehensive suite of oncology-targeted sequencing assays including TruSight Oncology 500 for comprehensive genomic profiling, liquid biopsy (ctDNA), and targeted panels for cancer research applications.
• Pillar Biosciences oncoReveal Panels Targeted NGS panels for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies developed by Pillar Biosciences (Illumina company), integrated with Illumina sequencing systems including MiSeq i100 and fireflyGO automation platform.
• AmpliSeq for Illumina Rapid, highly multiplexed PCR-based amplicon sequencing technology for targeted gene panels used in oncology, inherited disease, and microbial research applications.
• Illumina DNA Prep Streamlined DNA library preparation workflow for whole-genome sequencing, featuring a rapid, automatable protocol with bead-based normalization.
• Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep Library prep kit for stranded mRNA sequencing, preserving transcript orientation information for accurate gene expression analysis and alternative splicing detection.
• Illumina 5-base Solution Sequencing chemistry enabling detection of five DNA bases in a single assay, delivering concurrent genetic and epigenetic insights including methylation patterns alongside standard base calls.
• Illumina Single Cell 3' RNA Prep Microfluidics-free single-cell RNA sequencing workflow making scRNA-Seq accessible for more labs with an easy, scalable approach to profiling individual cell transcriptomes.
• TruPath Genome Solution Whole-genome sequencing solution using proximity mapped read technology to resolve previously inaccessible dark regions and complex structural variants. Runs on NovaSeq X series, processes up to 16 samples per day at $395 per sample with 10 minutes of hands-on preparation.
• Illumina StrataMap Spatial Solution Sequencing-based spatial transcriptomics platform providing whole-transcriptome profiling at single-cell resolution across a 7.5 cm² capture area, enabling spatial mapping of gene expression within tissue samples. Runs on NovaSeq and NextSeq platforms.
• SOMAmer Proteomics Portfolio Unified proteomics portfolio under a shared naming framework following the acquisition of SomaLogic. Includes Illumina Protein Prep and SomaLogic SOMAmer reagents for NGS-based proteomics analysis.
• Illumina WGS MRD Research Solution Distributed whole-genome sequencing kit for molecular residual disease research, enabling solid tumor fingerprinting and blood-based MRD detection with analytical sensitivity as low as 10 ppm and 99.5% specificity.
• fireflyGO Automation Platform Benchtop automation platform for library preparation and liquid handling for targeted oncology research, integrated with Illumina MiSeq i100 Series and Pillar Biosciences oncoReveal targeted panels. Reduces manual touchpoints and improves reproducibility.
• COVIDSeq Assay Targeted NGS assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection and characterization, enabling high-throughput viral sequencing from 96 samples per run for research and surveillance applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clinical sequencing consumables grew 20% ex-China for second consecutive quarter
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, regional and flagship.

• Start GeneticminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026Illumina as lead sponsor supporting Genetic Testing Action Day on July 25, 2026, raising awareness about genetic testing for patients with rare diseases, developmental disabilities, and inherited conditions.
• Illumina VenturesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Illumina Ventures announced winners of inaugural Irish Genomics Business Plan Competition recognizing Nax Bioscience and Imragen with sequencing consumables, mentorship, and support prizes.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2026Strategic collaboration to deliver integrated end-to-end oncology research workflows combining IDT's xGen FFPE and cfDNA library preparation with Illumina's DRAGEN secondary analysis platform. Initial DRAGEN Somatic for IDT Custom Panels includes low-quality FFPE mode optimized for challenging degraded samples.
• Bristol Myers SquibbcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Jointly presenting findings on MRD detection research at 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. Collaboration on evaluating Illumina's distributed whole-genome sequencing MRD solution for solid tumor detection.
• SPT LabtechcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 May 2026Joint launch of fireflyGO automation platform, a benchtop liquid handling and library preparation solution for targeted oncology research integrated with Illumina's MiSeq i100 Series. Platform automates library preparation reducing manual touchpoints while improving reproducibility.
• Premas Life SciencesregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Co-hosted Illumina Multiomics Summit India 2026 in New Delhi and Bengaluru, bringing together over 200 genomics experts to discuss integrated multi-omics approaches for precision health in India.
• Florida State University College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Partnership with Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases providing clinical whole-genome sequencing and interpretation services for diagnosing rare genetic diseases, leveraging Illumina's CLIA-certified laboratory services.
• Devyser DiagnosticsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2026Collaborative framework agreement positioning Devyser as system integrator for European reagent rental market, expanding commercial reach through partnership in European diagnostics market.
• Center for Data-Driven Discovery in BiomedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2026Partnership to process 100,000 pediatric whole genomes for cancer and rare disease research, supporting multiomic discovery and reinforcing Illumina's shift toward software and data analytics.
• Standard BioTools (SomaLogic)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026Completed $350 million acquisition of SomaLogic subsidiary on January 30, 2026, strengthening Standard BioTools' balance sheet while expanding Illumina's proteomics and multiomics capabilities.
• AstraZeneca, Merck, and Eli LillyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Billion Cell Atlas program launched January 2026, a genome-wide dataset capturing responses of 1 billion individual cells to accelerate AI-powered drug discovery and precision medicine research. Founding pharmaceutical partners contributing to dataset development.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Revvity: Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer) operates in life sciences tools, genomics reagents, and clinical diagnostics, competing with parts of Illumina's array scanner, reagent, and clinical sequencing services portfolios. Its broader applied genomics footprint overlaps with Illumina's research and reproductive health offerings.
• Agilent Technologies: Agilent supplies analytical instruments, microarrays (including legacy SurePrint/CGH arrays), NGS target enrichment (SureSelect), and reagents that compete with Illumina's microarray and library prep franchises. Agilent's broader analytical instruments and diagnostics footprint positions it as an incumbent across many of the same workflows.
• Roche: Roche has launched the $750K Axelios sequencing system and broader diagnostics platform aimed directly at high-throughput clinical sequencing, an area where Illumina's NovaSeq X leads. As a diversified diagnostics incumbent, Roche pairs sequencing with its own IVD, oncology, and pathology franchises to bundle workflow solutions against Illumina's clinical strategy.

Direct peers

• BGI Genomics: BGI Genomics (and its MGI subsidiary) offers DNBSEQ sequencing platforms and a broad clinical genomics services business that competes with Illumina in Asia-Pacific, reproductive health, and population-scale projects. BGI's vertically integrated instruments-to-services model has been a particular competitive threat in China and emerging markets.
• Pacific Biosciences: Pacific Biosciences provides long-read SMRT sequencing (Revio, Sequel systems) that competes for sequencing applications where Illumina's short-read chemistry is weaker, particularly complex variant detection and full-length transcript isoform analysis. PacBio targets the same research and clinical genomics customers and increasingly encroaches on Illumina's short-read strongholds via HiFi reads.
• Qiagen: Qiagen provides sample preparation kits, NGS target enrichment panels, and molecular diagnostics consumables that sit upstream and downstream of Illumina's sequencing workflow. The two companies co-market workflows (e.g., QIAseq panels run on Illumina sequencers) and increasingly compete in clinical sample-to-insight offerings.
• Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Oxford Nanopore offers nanopore-based sequencing (GridION, PromethION, MinION) directly competing with Illumina across research, clinical, and infectious disease surveillance applications. Its long-read, real-time chemistry and lower-cost benchtop formats challenge Illumina on flexibility, speed, and price per genome.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher is the largest direct competitor through its Life Sciences Solutions segment, offering the Ion Torrent NGS platform, library prep, and biosciences reagents that overlap directly with Illumina's sequencing and array businesses. AmpliSeq for Illumina is actually licensed from Thermo Fisher, illustrating how closely the two compete and partner on adjacent workflow components.
• 10x Genomics: 10x Genomics competes in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics (Chromium, Visium, Xenium), directly overlapping with Illumina's StrataMap Spatial Solution and Fluent BioSciences single-cell workflow. Both companies sell into translational research and pharma, and their technologies often run on each other's or third-party sequencing hardware.

Emerging players

• Element Biosciences: Element Biosciences has emerged as a credible challenger with the AVITI benchtop sequencer, offering an alternative low-cost, high-quality sequencing chemistry aimed at mid-throughput researchers and clinical labs. It represents a new-generation entrant whose success would erode Illumina's mid-tier (NextSeq, MiSeq) share over time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/illumina
• Facebookfacebook.com/illuminainc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illumina
• Instagraminstagram.com/illuminainc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors10 records

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M&A19 records

Investments25 records

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Frequently asked questions about Illumina