SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced Illumina Accelerator—the
world's first business accelerator focused solely on creating an
innovation ecosystem for the genomics industry—has selected three new
startups for its second funding cycle. Selected from a competitive pool
of highly qualified applicants, the new startups from across the globe
are spurring genomics innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and the
winemaking industry.
"We are delighted to invite such a promising group of cutting-edge
startups to Illumina Accelerator," said Illumina Senior Vice President
and Chief Technology Officer, Mostafa Ronaghi, Ph.D. "Their ability to
build innovative solutions to shape the future of genomics inspires us,
and we're thrilled to provide them with tools and resources to build a
successful future."
The selected startups for the spring 2015 funding cycle are:
-
PathoGn, Inc. is an infectious disease platform company based
in California using genomics and machine learning to build pathogen
diagnostics and disease forecasting products for agricultural
applications.
-
Biome Makers Inc. is a microbiome company founded by The Wine
Guys, from Castile and Leon, Spain, introducing advanced genomics in
the wine sector to transform the quality standards of vinification.
-
Urology Diagnostics Incorporated is a genomics company
from Oregon developing noninvasive urine sequencing diagnostics for
screening and monitoring cancer.
Each startup will receive seed investment, a subscription to Illumina's
NextBio translational genomics database, access to match funding through
the $40 million Illumina
Accelerator Boost Capital, and Illumina's sequencing systems and
reagents. In addition, startups accepted into Illumina Accelerator will
gain access to business guidance and fully operational lab space in the
San Francisco Bay Area during the six-month funding cycle.
"We look forward to building upon the successes of our first
graduates—Encoded Genomics, Inc., EpiBiome, Inc., and Xcell
Biosciences, Inc.—by helping our second group of startups also create
significant value, generate terabases of sequencing data, and advance
their genomics applications," said Amanda Cashin, Ph.D., who leads
Illumina Accelerator.
Illumina Accelerator strives to catalyze genomics innovation in the
broader startup community. It aims to advance genomics by lowering the
barrier to entry and expedite the time to market for entrepreneurs and
early-stage companies that are working on scientifically and
commercially promising next-generation sequencing applications. Startups
are invited to join Illumina Accelerator twice a year.
Applications for the Illumina Accelerator Fall 2015 funding cycle are
due by September 1, 2015. To apply, visit www.illumina.com/accelerator.
About Illumina, Inc.
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. To learn more, visit www.illumina.com and
follow @illumina.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements 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.
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