Illumina Expands Its Global Capability Center Network with New Facility in Bengaluru
Illumina, a leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, is set to enhance the genomic sciences landscape in India by establishing a new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Bengaluru. This move reflects the company's commitment to expanding its technology workforce to better serve its global clientele. Illumina, headquartered in San Diego, has previously operated in India through its channel partner Premas Life Sciences.
Bengaluru will join an elite list of Illumina’s GCC locations, which includes Singapore, Cambridge (England), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Shanghai, Hayward, and San Diego. As part of this expansion, Illumina plans to recruit over 100 technology professionals in India in 2024, with a further 200 positions to be added by the end of 2025. The new roles will span software engineering, IT hardware and network engineering, and system analysis.
Recently, Illumina hosted a meeting in Bengaluru that brought together leading clinicians and scientists from various academic institutions, government, and private sector labs to discuss the future of genomic science and its impact on healthcare. This initiative aligns with a broader trend in India, where numerous life sciences companies such as Novartis, Roche, AstraZeneca, GSK, and Bristol Myers Squibb have established global capability centers.
India’s burgeoning economy, expected to be the world’s third-largest by 2030, coupled with its ongoing public health challenges like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases, makes it a strategic location for Illumina’s expansion. The company highlights that approximately 96 million people in India suffer from rare diseases, and one in nine is at risk of developing cancer. Expanding genomic access is seen as crucial for advancing healthcare and addressing public health issues exacerbated by climate change.
“Genomics plays a pivotal role in public health, from identifying new pathogens to transforming disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention”, stated Gretchen Weightman, Illumina’s Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region. She emphasized that Illumina has been supporting India’s genomic infrastructure for over a decade, and expanding its presence aligns with the company’s goal to accelerate its initiatives in the region.
In addition to the new GCC, Illumina recently opened a state-of-the-art genomics lab in Bengaluru, known as the Illumina Solutions Center. This facility features advanced next-generation sequencing technologies and provides training and education opportunities.
Founded in 1998, Illumina is a pioneer in gene sequencing technology, instrumental in developing precision medicine and diagnostic kits for diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. The company holds approximately 80% of the global market share for genomic sequencing and reagents, with competitors including Thermo Fisher Scientific and Agilent.
Illumina has faced various challenges, including a hostile takeover bid from Roche in 2012, which was ultimately aborted after strong resistance from Illumina’s board. Despite a period of slow growth and stock price decline, the company has embarked on a renewed strategy to simplify gene sequencing, enhance multiomic workflows, and leverage AI and software for large-scale data analysis.
Illumina's Global CFO Ankur Dhingra recently highlighted the company’s strategy for returning to growth and increasing profitability. “We have the right strategy to return to growth and improve our profitability. We are executing this strategy and strengthening our relationship with customers in a challenging economic environment. We anticipate accelerating revenue growth over the next three years while achieving differentiated earnings expansion”, Dhingra stated.
With its new GCC and expanded operations in Bengaluru, Illumina aims to solidify its position as a leader in genomic sciences and contribute significantly to the advancement of healthcare and research in India.
