(Reuters) – Illumina said on Tuesday it has partnered with the Broad Institute to develop new kits that will allow large-scale gene sequencing using a novel method based on the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR technology.
In a separate partnership with Broad Institute and Harvard, San Diego-based Illumina will work on research sequencing of single cells and conduct experiments using technology from the company’s recently acquired Fluent BioSciences.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Illumina’s partnership with Massachusetts-based Broad Institute – one of the most prominent names in CRISPR research – aims to use a new method called PerturbSeq screening for scaling up gene sequencing volume.
This could help in disease and treatment research, as well as drive Illumina’s growth.
KEY QUOTE
“PerturbSeq has already demonstrated it can significantly advance the understanding of healthy gene networks and what goes wrong in the context of (a) disease. We believe it will set the scene for the next revolution in biology,” said Illumina CEO Jacob Thaysen during a presentation.
CONTEXT
The gene sequencing industry has seen significant developments in the last decade, especially the discovery of CRISPR, a part of DNA found in bacteria’s immune system, which is now used in genetic editing.
Illumina expects the partnerships for the new technologies to give the company the boost it needs. It has been struggling with the lack of revenue growth due to weakness in biotech funding.
BY THE NUMBERS
The company expects the partnership to help it achieve a double-digit percentage growth in its adjusted profit between 2025 and 2027, and high-single digit rise in revenue by 2027.
In 2023, the company’s revenue declined 2% to $4.50 billion, while its adjusted profit fell to 86 cents per share from $2.12.
(Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
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