Thermo Fisher Scientific and Illumina Sign Agreement to Provide Research Market Broader Access to Ion AmpliSeq Technology

Industry-leading amplicon solution facilitates targeted next-generation sequencing in multiple application areas

CARLSBAD, Calif. & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2018-- Thermo Fisher Scientific and Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced they have signed a commercial agreement that enables Illumina to sell Ion AmpliSeq technology to researchers who conduct scientific studies on Illumina’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. The best-in-class amplicon technology is highly effective in capturing DNA and RNA from minute amounts of samples for application in multiple areas of research.

Under the agreement, Thermo Fisher will provide Illumina with Ion AmpliSeq technology for research use. Illumina will sell the product directly to its customers under the name AmpliSeq for Illumina. Thermo Fisher will continue to sell Ion AmpliSeq chemistry for both IVD and RUO applications to Ion Torrent NGS customers, and retains the right to make the technology available on other next-generation sequencing platforms.

“Thermo Fisher expects standardization on the AmpliSeq technology will have a profound impact on disease research and encourage greater collaboration among the NGS community,” said Joydeep Goswami, President of Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing and Oncology for Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Through this agreement, a much larger base of research customers can now leverage Ion AmpliSeq technology’s benefits, while Thermo Fisher continues its commitment to Ion Torrent targeted sequencing solutions for the research market and accelerates its focus and forward momentum in the clinical space.”

The agreement enables Illumina customers to utilize targeted resequencing as a follow-up to larger-scale exome and whole genome discovery studies. Ultimately, the agreement supports both organizations’ commitment to drive scientific advancement in human disease research by providing complete NGS workflow solutions.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward enabling a high performing, flexible amplicon chemistry for use on Illumina’s market-leading portfolio of sequencing systems,” said Mark Van Oene, Chief Commercial Officer for Illumina. “By expanding access to AmpliSeq chemistry to existing customers, we are enabling them to do even more with their systems.”

Introduced to the market in 2011, Ion AmpliSeq technology was developed to facilitate amplicon sequencing on the Ion Torrent NGS systems. The technology leverages highly multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quickly and easily capture DNA or RNA targets from very limited samples. It has since proven to be a highly desired and effective NGS amplicon sequencing solution for its ease-of-use, scalability, efficient workflow and ability to provide trusted data in multiple NGS research application areas. To date, more than 1,100 Ion AmpliSeq technology studies have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 65,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

About Illumina

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit www.illumina.com and follow @illumina.

Use of forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on our expectations as of the date of this release and may differ materially from actual future events or results. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are (i) our ability to further develop and commercialize our instruments and consumables, and to deploy new products, services and applications, and expand the markets for our technology platforms; (ii) our ability to manufacture robust instrumentation and consumables; (iii) our ability to successfully identify and integrate acquired technologies, products or businesses; (iv) the future conduct and growth of the business and the markets in which we operate; and (v) challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, and launching new products and services, together with other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts’ expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.

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Source: Illumina, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Mauricio Minotta
+1 760 929 2456
+1 760 805 5266 (mobile)
mauricio.minotta@thermofisher.com
or
Illumina
Eric Endicott
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+ 1 858 263 6428 (mobile)
eendicott@illumina.com