Illumina Files Additional Patent Infringement Suit Against BGI in the U.S.

San Diego: Illumina, Inc. today announced that it has filed a patent infringement suit relating to BGI's "CoolMPS" sequencing products. The complaint was filed against BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., BGI Americas Corp., MGI Tech Co., Ltd., MGI Americas, Inc. and Complete Genomics Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California alleging infringement of three patents: US Patent Nos. 7,541,444; 7,771,973; and 10,480,025. The complaint seeks, among other things, damages, injunctive relief and attorney fees. The patents cover Illumina's proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis chemistry.

"BGI has brazenly copied Illumina's proprietary sequencing chemistry. Illumina's patent portfolio reflects the incredible innovation of Illumina's employees and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars that Illumina spends annually on research and development," said Charles Dadswell, SVP and General Counsel for Illumina. "We will continue to monitor and defend our intellectual property by appropriate enforcement when our patents are infringed."

Related patent suits are pending in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the U.S. Counterparts to these newly asserted patents have been upheld by the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the European Patent Office over challenges filed by BGI, Complete Genomics and others.

Read also: FTC seeks to block Illumina from buying PacBio

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments.

Medical Dialogues has previously reported that Illumina Inc on Thursday agreed to terminate the $1.2 billion deal to buy smaller rival Pacific Biosciences of California Inc, weeks after the U.S. competition watchdog filed a complaint to block the purchase.

Read also: Pacific Biosciences, Illumina cancel USD 1.2 billion deal