Illumina and Sequoia China Launch Genomics Incubator in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang, Welcoming First Cohort of Startups

Shanghai, November 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 17, 2021, Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), the global leader in genomics sequencing and array-based solutions, joined forces with HongShan, a leading investment firm, to witnessHongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina) LaunchedAnd located in Shanghai Zhangjiang Cell Industrial Park, the first two incubated enterprises have moved into the park. As an innovation-driven platform, the incubator aims to support life science startups and promote breakthroughs and development in the field of gene technology innovation and application.

HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina) Launched

This year marks the beginning of China's "14th Five-Year Plan"新征程, which explicitly emphasizes innovation, strengthening national technological competitiveness, and prioritizes gene and biotechnology as one of the key strategic frontiers for scientific and technological breakthroughs. As the strategic hub of China’s gene industry, the Shanghai municipal government aims to further enhance the leading role of the gene and biotech industry by promoting the “Zhangjiang R&D + Shanghai Manufacturing” brand. By reinforcing policy guidance, it seeks to foster high-quality development of gene and biotech companies in the city. Against this backdrop, the launch of the incubator holds significant strategic importance.

Illumina Vice President and General Manager of Greater China, Li Qing, delivers a speech on-site.

"The official launch of the HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina) represents Illumina's commitment and responsibility to the development of China's biogenetics field, as well as an important part of Illumina’s ongoing localization strategy."Li Qing, Vice President of Illumina, Inc. and General Manager of Greater ChinaSaid, "Through this breakthrough innovation platform, Illumina looks forward to working with HongShan to better serve the development of China's biotechnology innovation industry, and to embark on the vast ocean of life sciences together with Chinese entrepreneurs, ultimately making gene technology accessible to more people."

HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina)

HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina) Laboratory

After the preliminary selection, two companies were chosen as the first batch of incubated enterprises from a large number of candidate startups:

Mozhu Bio:An innovative company in scientific research applications, dedicated to developing leading single-cell sequencing microfluidic technologies for molecular diagnostics applications;

Xu Zhen Biological Technology:An innovative multi-omics research and clinical service provider dedicated to genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other related services;

Illumina Visits the Laboratory with Incubated Enterprise Representatives

HongShan Managing Director Cao Yibo said:"HongShan has always focused on the healthcare field, with years of research experience and systematic layout. Through the HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (Powered by Illumina), we look forward to joining hands with Illumina to promote the transformation of outstanding scientific research achievements into industrial applications, nurturing this hotbed of entrepreneurship and development in China."

During two rounds each year, with each round lasting six months of incubation, HongShan will support the operations of the incubated companies and prioritize investment in the next round of financing. It will also provide entrepreneurial guidance to the incubated companies and offer access to modern laboratories located in the Shanghai Zhangjiang Cell Industrial Park (including the use of Illumina's world-leading sequencing platforms and sequencing reagents). Illumina will provide professional empowerment in the field of genomics, offering tailored technical solutions for the incubated startups.

Illumina Global Startup Support Platform (Illumina for Startups) Co-founder and HeadAmanda Cashin Ph.D."The launch of the incubator and the move-in of the first batch of incubated companies have opened a new chapter for China's genomics entrepreneurship sector and entrepreneurs. We look forward to working with HongShan and China's most innovative entrepreneurs to unleash the power of genomics and improve human health in China."

The second phase of the incubator's acceleration camp recruitment will officially start soon and the application deadline is March 1, 2022. For more details, please visit.Registration Link。

About Illumina's Global Startup Support Platform (Illumina for Startups）

Illumina's Global Startup Support Platform is committed to collaborating with leading venture capital firms and entrepreneurs to co-found, promote, and support startups in the genomics field, thereby establishing an innovative gene industry ecosystem globally. Illumina's Global Startup Support Platform includes the Illumina Accelerator, founded in 2014, and the HongShan China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator (powered by Illumina technology), officially launched in the fall of 2021. As part of the company’s innovation-driven engine, the Illumina Accelerator is jointly established with the company’s R&D center in the San Francisco Bay Area and Cambridge, UK. The Illumina Accelerator has successfully supported 61 genomic startups worldwide, raising over $1 billion in venture capital funding. For more information, please visitOfficial Website。

About Illumina

Illumina, Inc. is committed to advancing and inspiring the field of genomics to continuously improve human health. Our focus on innovation has made us a global leader in sequencing and array technologies, providing specialized services to customers in research, clinical, and applied markets worldwide. Our products are widely used in life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging fields. For more information, please visitwww.illumina.com.cnOr follow Illumina's WeChat Official Account.

About Sequoia Capital China Fund

HongShan has always been committed to helping entrepreneurs build enduring great companies, bringing global resources and valuable historical experience to its portfolio companies. Over the past 49 years, HongShan has invested in numerous innovative companies and leaders of industry trends. As "the entrepreneur behind the entrepreneurs," HongShan China Fund focuses on investment opportunities in three areas: technology/media, healthcare, and consumer goods/services. In the past 16 years, HongShan China Fund has invested in nearly 900 companies with distinct technological characteristics, innovative business models, and high growth potential.