Illumina to acquire SomaLogic for a potential sum of $425 million dollars.
In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the proteomics market, Illumina, a leading player in the field of genomics, announced its acquisition of SomaLogic for $350 million upfront, with potential additional payments of up to $75 million. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026, is a significant step towards advancing Illumina's multiomics strategy and bolstering the value of its NovaSeq X products.
SomaLogic, a pioneer in data-driven proteomics technology, brings to the table the SomaScan proteomics assay and related sequencing library preparation kits. These complement Illumina's existing next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, particularly the NovaSeq X product line, enhancing the value of Illumina's offerings by enabling advanced protein biomarker discovery and disease profiling.
The acquisition aims to accelerate technology development by integrating SomaLogic's high-throughput proteomics assays with Illumina's scalable NGS systems, software, and connected multiomics infrastructure. This integration is expected to reduce the time and cost of proteomic research and diagnostics, accelerating innovation in the field.
Illumina and SomaLogic have had a long-standing partnership, collaborating closely for over three years. This acquisition consolidates that collaboration under one roof and advances their joint technology roadmap. For SomaLogic, the move could lead to its next phase of growth, potentially driving wider adoption of proteomics assays in research and diagnostics.
The acquisition also diversifies Illumina's revenue and product offerings. SomaLogic contributes high-margin consumables and certified lab services, enhancing Illumina's portfolio beyond DNA sequencing into protein analysis.
The acquisition positions Illumina as a more comprehensive multiomics leader, likely accelerating growth and innovation across proteomics research and clinical applications. Illumina has committed to remaining an open NGS platform and supporting existing proteomics partnerships, suggesting a collaborative rather than monopolistic market approach.
Illumina's CEO, Jacob Thaysen, stated that the combination with SomaLogic increases their ability to serve customers and accelerate their technology roadmap towards advanced biomarker discovery and disease profiling. The company's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are expected to achieve break-even post-transaction.
SomaLogic, with approximately 250 employees worldwide, produces next-generation sequencing library preparation kits. The Boulder, Colorado facilities of SomaLogic, which include a lab, office, and manufacturing space, will be part of the purchase. Standard BioTools, which acquired SomaLogic 18 months ago, will retain certain reagent commercialization rights on SOMAmer kits.
Standard BioTools expects the transaction to simplify its operating structure. The deal includes near-term payments of up to $75 million tied to performance milestones, plus royalties. Illumina has agreed to acquire SomaLogic and other assets from Standard BioTools for $350 million in cash.
Sources: [1] Illumina Press Release, 2025 [2] Science, 2025 [3] Nature, 2025 [4] GenomeWeb, 2025
- Illumina's acquisition of SomaLogic, a pioneer in proteomics technology, is bolstering its multiomics strategy, especially with SomaLogic's SomaScan assay and related sequencing library preparation kits, which complement Illumina's NovaSeq X products.
- The integration of SomaLogic's high-throughput proteomics assays with Illumina's scalable NGS systems could potentially reduce the time and cost of proteomic research and diagnostics, accelerating innovation.
- With the acquisition, Illumina is expanding its revenue and product offerings, diversifying beyond DNA sequencing into protein analysis with SomaLogic's high-margin consumables and certified lab services.
- The deal could propel SomaLogic into its next phase of growth, potentially driving wider adoption of proteomics assays in research and diagnostics.
- The M&A move positions Illumina as a more comprehensive multiomics leader, expected to augment growth and innovation across proteomics research and clinical applications, while remaining open to NGS platform partnerships.
