Illumina收购Epicentre Biotechnologies 供应核酸样品制备试剂和酶

Illumina公布它已经收购了Epicentre生物技术公司，这是一家核酸样品制备试剂以及酶的供给商，其产品广泛应用于测序和芯片领域。交易的金融条款未透露。

位于美国威斯康星州麦迪逊的Epicentre生物技术公司成立于1987年，是分子生物学产品的制造商和销售商，其产品广泛应用于RNA扩增及基因表达分析，基于转座子的遗传分析，核酸纯化，DNA序列分析，PCR及RT-PCR扩增，DNA及RNA修饰酶，基因组克隆，体外转录，以及蛋白质研究和纯化等领域。另外，公司拥有广泛的分子生物学产品生产线，可为客户提供蛋白质定制服务。

Illumina表示，收购的核心部分是Epicentre专利的Nextera™技术，它适用于新一代测序的文库制备。研究职员可使用Nextera技术在15分钟内从基因组DNA制成测序文库。而文库构建的传统方法经常需要几个小时的手工操纵。

此外，Nextera技术所需的DNA起始量是其他方法的1/100-1/10。因此，它特别适合样品量有限的应用，如肿瘤活检、降解的DNA或纯化的RNA。Nextera技术的这些独特特征为推动新一代测序发展非常关键。

Illumina公司总裁兼CEO Jay Flatley表示：“随着新一代测序的通量和用度不断改善，样品制备也亟待改善，比如降低用度，处理更多样品，减少手工操纵及整体的处理时间。Nextera技术让文库制备逐步改善，有看使测序应用更易用、用度更低、周转时间更快。”

据Illumina透露，合并后的公司将为新一代测序、芯片和实时定量PCR应用提供了端对真个解决方案。Epicentre在酶工程和样品制备试剂开发上的能力将与Illumina的核心平台互为补充，以全面解决研究职员在遗传分析上的需求。

据《福布斯》杂志先容，在所有医学类股票中，近五年表现最佳者即为Illumina公司。自2005年末以来，这家DNA测序设备主要生产商为投资者带来了近800%的总回报率，年均高达50%，这得益于该公司销售增长了12倍，从2005年的7,300万美元增至往年的约8.79亿美元。该公司目前的盈利为7,200万美元，但高盛估计，这个数字到2012年将增至3倍。

Illumina Acquires Epicentre Biotechnologies, Leading Provider of Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation Reagents and Specialty Enzymes

Combination Enhances Illuminas Sample Preparation and Enzyme Portfolio

SAN DIEGO, Jan 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that it has acquired Epicentre Biotechnologies, a leading provider of nucleic acid sample preparation reagents and specialty enzymes used in sequencing and microarray applications. A key component of the acquisition is direct access to Epicentres proprietary Nextera(TM) technology for next-generation sequencing library preparation, which greatly simplifies genetic analysis workflows and reduces time from sample preparation to answer.

"As next-generation sequencing continues to improve in throughput and cost, theres a critical need for sample prep to evolve as well, to lower costs, handle higher sample volumes and reduce both hands-on and overall processing time," said Jay Flatley, President and CEO of Illumina. "Epicentres Nextera technology provides a step-change improvement in library prep that will translate into greater ease of use, lower costs, and faster turnaround times for sequencing applications. In addition to Nextera, Epicentre is a leading supplier of specialty enzymes and kits that are beneficial to Illuminas technologies."

The rapid adoption of Nextera sequencing sample prep kits by existing Illumina sequencing customers is indicative of the cost effectiveness, ease of use, and efficiency of Nextera technology. With this patented technology, researchers can prepare sequencer-ready libraries from genomic DNA with less than 15 minutes of hands-on time - a significant timesaving compared to alternate methods. In addition, Nextera technology requires 10-100 times less starting DNA, which enables applications with limited starting material such as tumor biopsies, degraded DNA, or purified RNA. These unique features of Nextera sequencing library prep kits are all critical to advancing the evolution of next-generation sequencing.

The combined company will be uniquely positioned to offer an end-to-end solution for next-generation sequencing, microarray, and real time PCR applications. Epicentres unique capabilities in enzyme engineering and sample preparation reagent development will complement Illuminas core platform expertise to comprehensively address the needs of researchers across their entire genetic analysis workflow.

About Illumina

Illumina (http://www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paving the way for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include challenges inherent in integrating Epicentre with our existing operations and the other factors that are 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 do not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

SOURCE: Illumina, Inc.