Illumina Completes $350 Million Acquisition of SomaLogic to Expand Proteomics Leadership
Key Insights
Illumina has completed its acquisition of SomaLogic (search) from Standard BioTools (search) for $350 million in cash, plus up to $75 million in performance-based milestones and royalties.
The acquisition significantly expands Illumina's multiomics portfolio by combining SomaLogic (search)'s proteomics technology with Illumina's next-generation sequencing platforms and DRAGEN (search) software.
The combined capabilities will provide customers with scalable protein analysis tools to accelerate drug discovery and improve healthcare outcomes.
Illumina has completed its strategic acquisition of SomaLogic (search), a leader in data-driven proteomics technology, from Standard BioTools (search) for $350 million in cash paid at closing, plus up to $75 million in near-term performance-based milestones and performance-based royalties. The transaction, announced January 30, 2026, significantly expands Illumina's multiomics capabilities and strengthens its position in the growing proteomics market.
Strategic Expansion into Proteomics
The acquisition represents a major milestone in Illumina's multiomics strategy outlined in 2024. "Welcoming the SomaLogic (search) team to Illumina is an important milestone in executing the multiomics strategy we outlined in 2024," said Jacob Thaysen, chief executive officer of Illumina. "By combining SomaLogic's highly differentiated proteomics technology with Illumina's industry-leading innovation and global reach, we are strengthening our ability to deliver scalable insights across genomics and proteomics, helping customers unlock more from every sample in support of better outcomes for patients."
SomaLogic (search)'s technologies provide deep insights into protein function, interactions, and modifications, helping to accelerate understanding of complex biology and human health. The combined platform will leverage SomaScan (search) with Illumina's NGS ecosystem, DRAGEN (search) software, and Illumina Connected Multiomics to rapidly transform insights into discoveries.
Enhanced Customer Capabilities
Customers will benefit from the integrated power of multiple technologies including SomaScan (search), Illumina Protein Prep (search), SomaSignal Tests (search), DRAGEN (search) software, and Illumina Connected Multiomics. This combination will enable the generation of rich multiomic datasets at scale, with the flexibility to adopt tools and workflows that best match specific research needs.
The acquisition brings high scalability, flexibility, and affordability to protein analysis, addressing key challenges in the proteomics field. The combined capabilities are designed to help drive faster drug discovery and positively impact healthcare outcomes.
Building on Existing Partnership
The acquisition builds on a foundation established in late 2021, when Illumina and SomaLogic (search) entered into an agreement to bring the SomaScan (search) Proteomics Assay onto Illumina's high-throughput NGS platforms. This existing partnership in proteomics co-development provided the groundwork for the deeper integration now achieved through the acquisition.
Market Positioning and Continuity
Illumina is building new, scalable growth businesses that complement and accelerate its high-throughput sequencing franchise. The SomaLogic (search) acquisition positions Illumina for growth in the expanding proteomics market by increasing customer access to SomaLogic's technologies and service offerings, coupled with Illumina's product innovation and global market reach.
The company has committed to maintaining continuity for existing customers and partnerships. Illumina will continue to support SomaLogic (search) customers and partnerships, including existing service providers using SomaLogic's array-based readout. The company remains an open, accessible, and enabling next-generation sequencing platform and will work closely with customers to provide continuity of products, services, and support as SomaLogic's portfolio is integrated into Illumina's product and solutions roadmap.
Financial Details
The deal was funded with cash on hand, and Illumina plans to discuss the financial implications of the transaction in its upcoming earnings call scheduled for February 5, 2026. The acquisition includes SomaLogic (search) and other specified assets from Standard BioTools (search), with the total potential value reaching $425 million when including performance-based components.