On October 21, 2025, 10x Genomics filed two lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging that Illumina Inc. infringed upon nine of its patents related to genetic sequencing technologies. The suits claim that Illumina’s genomics kits and a spatial transcriptomics platform announced earlier this year unlawfully utilize 10x’s patented methods for RNA analysis in tissue samples. 10x asserts that Illumina was aware of at least one of these patents due to its involvement in a previous $31 million verdict against another company in the biology sector. The lawsuits seek unspecified monetary damages and a court order to halt the alleged infringement.
10x Genomics, headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is recognized for its advancements in single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics. These technologies enable researchers to study gene activity at the cellular level and within spatial contexts, enhancing the understanding of diseases such as cancer. Illumina, based in San Diego, also offers single-cell gene analysis products and introduced competing spatial transcriptomics tools in February. In response to the allegations, Illumina has denied any wrongdoing and stated its intention to “vigorously defend” itself against the claims.
This legal action adds to a series of patent disputes within the genomics industry. Notably, in November 2023, 10x Genomics secured a $31 million jury verdict against NanoString Technologies for willful infringement of seven patents related to spatial genomics. The jury found that NanoString’s GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler and associated products infringed upon patents exclusively licensed to 10x. Following this, in December 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware granted a permanent injunction against Bruker Corporation’s GeoMx products, prohibiting their sale and use in the United States. To minimize disruption to ongoing research, the injunction included a carve-out allowing existing GeoMx users to continue their work.
In May 2025, 10x Genomics and Bruker reached a settlement agreement, resolving all outstanding worldwide patent litigation and disputes between the two companies. As part of the settlement, Bruker agreed to pay $68 million in equal quarterly installments between the third quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, along with ongoing royalties on sales of its spatial biology products through the life of the licensed patents. This settlement included global patent cross-licenses and the withdrawal of all legal proceedings, including those in the United States, Germany, and before the European Unified Patent Court.
The recent lawsuits against Illumina underscore the ongoing competitive and litigious environment in the genomics sector, as companies strive to protect their intellectual property and market positions in the rapidly evolving field of genetic analysis technologies.