Illumina Introduces the HiSeq 2500

Illumina (Nasdaq:ILMN) today introduced the HiSeq® 2500, a next-generation sequencing system that will enable researchers and clinicians to sequence an entire genome in approximately 24 hours, "Genome in a Day”. The HiSeq 2500 leverages the continued technology advancements from both the HiSeq 2000 and MiSeq™ platforms.

"The ability to sequence an entire genome in a day with the same high quality data as the HiSeq 2000 will enable new opportunities for researchers to develop medically relevant whole-genome applications,” said Jay Flatley, President and Chief Executive Officer at Illumina. "With the HiSeq 2500, Illumina is taking another significant step forward in enabling our vision of revolutionizing human healthcare.”

The HiSeq 2500 offers:

• Unprecedented Speed and Flexibility – two modes allow researchers to generate 120 gigabases (Gb) of data in 27 hours, or 600 Gb in a standard HiSeq run.
• High Quality Data- system uses the proven SBS chemistry that has made both the HiSeq 2000 and the MiSeq systems the most accurate next-generation sequencers.

• Expanding Applications – enables researchers to sequence a human genome or 20 exomes in a day, or 30 RNA sequencing samples in as little as five hours.
• Industry Leading Simplicity and Ease-of-Use – integrated cluster generation process enables a simplified workflow similar the MiSeq platform.
• Upgradable from HiSeq 2000 – through a simple, field-based upgrade priced at $50,000.

The Company also announced the following performance enhancements to the MiSeq personal sequencer:

• Threefold Increase in Throughput – capable of generating up to 7 Gb per run, expanding the number of applications and increasing sample throughput.

• Longer and More Reads – a new 500-cycle reagent kit supports 2 x 250 bp runs, generating over 15 million clusters per run and enabling more accurate small-genome assembly and small RNA sequencing projects.
• Faster Run Times – Faster cycle times enable rapid turnaround applications, allowing researchers to perform microbial identification sequencing in as little as 2 ½ hours.

"The HiSeq 2500 and the improvements to our MiSeq platform continue to demonstrate the headroom our SBS sequencing chemistry brings to the evolution of next-generation sequencing,” said Flatley. "These improvements will enable expansion into new markets, moving next-gen sequencing applications closer to the clinic, and broadening access to labs of all types around the world.”

The Company expects to begin full commercial shipment of the HiSeq 2500 in the second half of 2012. Upgrades will be available to all HiSeq 2000 customers. MiSeq performance improvements will be available to all new and existing customers starting mid-2012.

About Illumina

Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paving the way for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the expected shipping and availability dates for the MiSeq performance improvements and the HiSeq 2500. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, and launching new products and services and the other factors that are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.