WuXi Genome Center buys Illumina HiSeq X Ten sequencing system

Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) and WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:WX), a leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device R&D outsourcing company with operations in China and the United States, today announced that the WuXi Genome Center has purchased an Illumina HiSeq X Ten sequencing system.

This new investment will enable WuXi's clinical genomic services to expand from the current target panel, exome, and transcriptome scale sequencing to population genome scale sequencing. It puts the world's most advanced gene sequencing capability in the hands of the leading pharmaceutical R&D services company in the Asia Pacific region.

The WuXi Genome Center meets international clinical standards and is the only CLIA-certified clinical genomics lab in China. In addition to offering sequencing services, WuXi's genomics lab also provides assay development, validation, and testing services.

"This investment in cutting-edge gene sequencing technology significantly strengthens WuXi's broad, integrated platform of R&D services," said Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi PharmaTech. "It advances our mission of enabling anyone and any company to use our R&D platform to discover and develop innovative medicines to benefit the world's patients."

The HiSeq X Ten is the world's first platform to deliver full coverage human genomes for $1,000, including typical instrument depreciation, DNA extraction, library preparation, and estimated labor. Purpose-built for population-scale human whole genome sequencing, the HiSeq X Ten can sequence approximately 18,000 samples annually with high-quality, high-coverage sequencing. It is sold as a set of 10 or more ultra-high throughput sequencing systems, each generating up to 1.8 terabases (Tb) of sequencing data in less than three days or up to 600 gigabases (Gb) per day, per system.

"We are pleased that WuXi has chosen the HiSeq X Ten to serve its clients with state-of-the-art gene sequencing capabilities," said Jay Flatley, CEO of Illumina. "Illumina's leadership in the development of genomics technologies and WuXi's leadership in offering high-quality R&D services to leading biopharmaceutical companies are a perfect fit."