Illumina, Inc., a prominent leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, has completed the acquisition of Fluent BioSciences, effective today. Fluent BioSciences, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc., specializes in a pioneering single-cell technology that promises significant advancements in biological research.
According to Steven Barnard, Illumina's chief technology officer, the addition of Fluent BioSciences expands Illumina's capabilities in a crucial growth area and supports their multiomics strategy. The single-cell analysis technology developed by Fluent BioSciences is distinguished by its simplicity and affordability, eliminating the need for complex instrumentation and microfluidic consumables. This innovation aims to democratize single-cell analysis, making it more accessible to a wider range of researchers and enabling experiments directly at the point of sample collection. Fluent's latest offering, PIPseq™ V, is highlighted for its exceptional performance in detecting cell types often overlooked by current methods and its scalability, capable of processing from 100 cells up to 1 million.
Illumina plans to integrate Fluent's technology, including PIPseq V, into its product portfolio to enhance their single-cell analysis capabilities. This integration will leverage Illumina's leading sequencing and informatics solutions, such as Partek Flow, facilitating comprehensive single-cell multiomic analysis and providing researchers with robust support throughout the discovery process.
Despite the acquisition, Illumina remains committed to maintaining its open next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and supporting existing single-cell partnerships. The company aims to foster an ecosystem that empowers researchers with flexible tools tailored to their specific needs, ensuring continued advancement in multiomics solutions like single-cell analysis.
The acquisition, financed with existing cash reserves, marks a strategic move by Illumina to bolster its technological portfolio and accelerate innovation in genomic research.