Illumina faces low-cost rival as BGI touts sub $100 gene sequencing
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Chinese sequencing giant BGI is squaring up against Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) as Complete Genomics, a subsidiary of MGI Tech, announced Tuesday the market launch of a new class of low-cost sequencers, it says, could cut the genome sequencing price to sub $100.
Complete Genomics announced the launch alongside several other gene sequencers at a genomics-focused medical meeting in Florida.
Complete Genomics said that the new sequencer branded as DNBSEQ-T20Ã2 could read up to 50,000 human genomes per year for under $100 per genome.
This indicates more than double the performance Illumina (ILMN) touted for its NovaSeq X line of sequencers last year, which it said would lower gene sequencing costs to as little as $200 per genome.

BGIâs market launch comes as Illumina (ILMN) is set to report its Q4 2022 results on Tuesday after the market close, having set its 2023 guidance below expectations late last month.

âInvestors should view even the new guidance with a cold eye,â Seeking Alpha contributor William Meyers wrote, reiterating his Sell rating on the stock last month.