10x Genomics, alongside Prognosys Biosciences and Roche Sequencing Solutions, has initiated legal action against Illumina, alleging infringement on nine patents in the realms of spatial biology and single-cell sequencing. The lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, accuse Illumina of violating four patents related to spatial transcriptomics and five patents concerning single-cell technologies. The implications of these lawsuits are significant, as they not only seek damages but also aim to impose a permanent injunction against Illumina’s use of the contested technologies.
Illumina has publicly denied the allegations, asserting its commitment to vigorously defend against the claims. This legal maneuvering comes on the heels of 10x’s recent history of litigation against competitors, following settlements with Bruker and Vizgen earlier this year. Critics of 10x argue that such aggressive litigation hampers innovation within the industry, a sentiment echoed by academic researchers concerned about the stifling effects of patent disputes.
As 10x seeks to protect its intellectual property, the outcome of these lawsuits could reshape competitive dynamics in the spatial and single-cell biology markets. With significant portions of 10x’s revenue tied to NIH funding, any adverse rulings could exacerbate existing challenges, particularly as the company navigates a competitive landscape increasingly populated by lower-cost alternatives.
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