Shanghai, China, April 28, 2023 — Today, Illumina, the global leader in genomics and chip technology, simultaneously held the "Lighting Ceremony" for the NovaSeq™ X Plus in Tianjin, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, marking the completion of installation, debugging, and commissioning of the first batch of NovaSeq™ X Plus high-throughput sequencing platforms delivered in China. Three representative genomics sequencing service companies—Novogene, HaploX Biotechnology, and Decode Genomics—became the first users in China to install the NovaSeq™ X Plus. Representatives from the three companies and Illumina attended the lighting ceremony, jointly witnessing the further unleashing of genomics potential, empowering and enhancing the prospects of genomic applications in China.
Last November, at the 5th China International Import Expo, Illumina's NovaSeq™ X Plus high-throughput sequencing platform made its "Asian debut" and reached cooperation agreements with multiple Chinese clients on the first day of the exhibition. The launch of the revolutionary new product, the NovaSeq™ X series, broke Illumina, Inc.'s pre-sale order record for new products since the company’s establishment. In the first quarter of 2023, orders for this product have already exceeded 200 units. Among these, China is the second-largest market globally for pre-orders of the NovaSeq™ X series.
As the high-throughput sequencer with the highest output, greatest capacity, and strongest sustainability in the history of Illumina’s product family, the NovaSeq™ X Plus reduces the cost of sequencing a single human whole genome from $600 five years ago to $200. It can sequence more than 20,000 standard human whole genomes annually, supporting larger-scale sequencing and a wider variety of research, thereby accelerating the popularization of genomic sequencing technology. Additionally, the NovaSeq™ X series will synergize with Illumina's newly launched Illumina Complete Long Reads, enabling users to perform both long-read and short-read sequencing on the same platform, adding flexibility to a simplified and efficient workflow.
Dr. Ruiqiang Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NovogeneStated: "Novogene is firmly advancing its global localization development strategy. So far, we have built a service network covering approximately 80 countries and regions. We are currently the first Illumina user in China to simultaneously deploy the new NovaSeq™ X Plus sequencing services across multiple global locations. As a long-term partner of Illumina, we have used every generation of Illumina sequencers. We also look forward to both parties continuing to fully leverage our respective technical expertise and resource advantages, working hand-in-hand to further the path of achieving 'global localization' and expanding the influence of genomics."
Dr. Mingyan Xu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of HaploX"Noted: 'The powerful capabilities of the NovaSeq™ X Plus are accelerating advancements in scientific innovation and clinical insights. As one of the first users to install this product in China, we look forward to deepening our strategic partnership with Illumina. By leveraging the complementary advantages of world-leading technology and local service R&D capabilities, we aim to jointly explore innovative collaboration models in areas such as cohort research, in-hospital testing, clinical cooperation, equipment registration, and localized production. I believe that with the official launch of the NovaSeq™ X Plus, more innovative achievements and high-quality applications will be expedited and popularized, meeting China's demand for cutting-edge technology more quickly.'"
Chairman and General Manager of Decoding Biology, Pan Jiakui"It is a great honor to be the first user in China to sign and take delivery of the NovaSeq™ X Plus. As the pioneer and leader of 'fourth-party testing' services in China, we have long been committed to providing comprehensive, precise, and top-notch sequencing and testing services for third-party medical laboratories, biotech companies, and universities, helping them reduce costs and improve efficiency. The platform advantages and service experience of Decode Biology, combined with the high-throughput and low-cost features of Illumina's NovaSeq™ X Plus sequencing system, complement each other perfectly. In the future, we will offer more industry customers sequencing services that are 'abundant, fast, good, economical, and neutral,' accelerating the arrival of an era where genomic sequencing is accessible to everyone."