Illumina, Amgen to genome sequence 35K DNA samples
JuSun


Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) have agreed to conduct whole-genome sequencing on ~35K DNA samples, mostly from African-Americans.
Amgen (AMGN) subsidiary deCODE genetics will perform the sequencing using Illumina (ILMN) sequencing technologies.
The companies said the new sequencing is important given that most genomic data sets are from those of European ancestry. As a result, there is a lack of understanding of the underlying genetic causes of disease in other ethnic groups and also impacts precision health therapies available to them.

Illumina (ILMN) is working with Nashville Biosciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, on the agreement. The sequencing is the first between llumina (ILMN) and Nashville Biosciences' Alliance for Genomic Discovery, who have their own agreement to accelerate therapeutic development through large-scale genomics.
Read why Seeking Alpha contributor Mike Zaccardi, who considers Illumina (ILMN) a sell, calls shares "richly valued."