Biotechnology company Illumina plans to acquire SomaLogic for up to $425 million
In a strategic move, Illumina, a global leader in DNA sequencing and array technology, has agreed to acquire SomaLogic for $350 million in cash. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026, is set to significantly enhance Illumina's position in the growing proteomics market and accelerate its multiomics strategy.
The acquisition of the Boulder, Colorado-based company, which includes a lab, office, and manufacturing space, will integrate SomaLogic's data-driven proteomics technology with Illumina's next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. This union is expected to boost capabilities around biomarker discovery and disease profiling.
SomaLogic's SomaScan® Proteomics Assay, complementing Illumina's scalable sequencing systems and software, will enable more comprehensive and cost-effective proteomic research. The acquisition builds on a prior co-development partnership and allows rapid advancement of proteomics technologies integrated with Illumina’s high-throughput sequencing ecosystem and multiomics platform, Illumina Connected Multiomics.
The deal is expected to have several key impacts on the proteomics market and Illumina’s multiomics approach. It will enhance Illumina's proteomics offering, accelerate technology roadmap, expand market reach, advance multiomics strategy, and support financial and strategic growth.
Illumina Protein Prep, aligned with SomaLogic’s technology, is already in use with nearly 40 early-access customers and will become widely available by Q3 2025, broadening access and adoption globally. The acquisition directly supports Illumina’s 2024-declared multiomics strategy by adding proteomics data layers to its genomics portfolio, providing a richer, integrated molecular view for research and clinical applications.
Despite a slight overall revenue decline in Q2 2025, Illumina’s operating margins expanded, supported partly by strategic investments including the SomaLogic deal. The acquisition aligns with Illumina’s pillars of sustainable growth: core sequencing, multiomics entry, and expansion of data/software services.
Illumina CEO Jacob Thaysen stated that the acquisition will strengthen the value of its NovaSeq X products. The company is committed to maintaining its existing proteomics partnerships and supporting a variety of multiomics solutions.
For Standard BioTools, which acquired SomaLogic 18 months ago, the transaction will simplify its operating structure. Standard BioTools will retain certain reagent commercialization rights on SOMAmer kits. SomaLogic produces next-generation sequencing library preparation kits.
The acquisition is expected to lead SomaScan to its next phase of growth. SomaLogic, a leader in data-driven technology, has approximately 250 employees worldwide. Notably, SomaLogic has not been previously mentioned as having licensing rights.
The deal includes additional near-term payments of up to $75 million tied to performance milestones, plus royalties. Illumina will remain an open NGS platform, committed to supporting a diverse ecosystem of users and applications. The acquisition is a pivotal step for advancing integrated multiomics capabilities, enriching the proteomics market with high-throughput technology, and positioning Illumina as a leader in comprehensive molecular profiling, which is increasingly critical for biomarker discovery and disease diagnostics in both research and clinical sectors.
- The acquisition of SomaLogic by Illumina, a global leader in DNA sequencing, is expected to significantly enhance Illumina's position in the growing proteomics market and accelerate its multiomics strategy.
- SomaLogic's laboratory, office, and manufacturing space in Boulder, Colorado, will be integrated with Illumina's next-generation sequencing platforms, boosting capabilities around biomarker discovery and disease profiling.
- The SomaLogic's SomaScan® Proteomics Assay, combined with Illumina's scalable sequencing systems and software, will enable more comprehensive and cost-effective proteomic research.
- The acquisition is expected to support Illumina’s 2024-declared multiomics strategy by adding proteomics data layers to its genomics portfolio, providing a richer, integrated molecular view for research and clinical applications.
- The deal aligns with Illumina’s pillars of sustainable growth: core sequencing, multiomics entry, and expansion of data/software services, and is a pivotal step for advancing integrated multiomics capabilities in the technology sector.
