Illumina and Helix Collaborate to Assess Prevalence of New SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant (B.1.1.7) in the US and Develop National Surveillance Infrastructure

Rhea-AI Summary

Illumina (Nasdaq: ILMN) has partnered with Helix to enhance U.S. surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with support from the CDC. Their collaboration aims to identify and monitor emerging strains, having already detected B.1.1.7 in multiple states. This initiative will expand genomic surveillance efforts, allowing for timely responses to changes in the virus's pathogenicity and treatment efficacy. Both companies emphasize the importance of genomic data in adapting public health strategies to combat COVID-19 variants.

Positive

• Collaboration with Helix enhances U.S. surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• Success in identifying 51 out of 54 B.1.1.7 variant cases reported in the U.S.
• Ability to analyze a higher volume of samples for emerging strains.
• Partnership with CDC to support public health response adaptation.

Negative

• None.

Illumina, Inc. (Nasdaq: ILMN) and Helix today announced a collaboration to augment national surveillance infrastructure in the US to track the emergence and prevalence of novel strains of SARS-CoV-2 with support from the CDC. The combination of Illumina’s sequencing technology and expertise and Helix’s national COVID-19 testing footprint will significantly expand the country’s existing surveillance efforts to detect and characterize emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The collaboration has already demonstrated results – identifying 51 of the first 54 cases of B.1.1.7, the highly transmissible variant first found in the UK, reported in the US. Over the past several weeks, Helix has analyzed recent positive samples and identified those with ‘S gene dropout’ on their diagnostic PCR assay, indicating the potential presence of the emerging B1.1.7 variant in different regions in the US. Illumina then sequenced a subset of these ‘S gene dropout’ samples using Illumina’s COVIDSeq Test, which identified the B.1.1.7 variant in 4 samples from California and Florida.

“Genomic surveillance is essential in fighting the pandemic. Illumina is pleased to partner with the CDC and Helix to provide accurate sequencing that can contribute to rapidly scaling genomic surveillance in the US to better understand the presence of B.1.1.7 and other variants as they emerge in our communities,” said Dr. Phil Febbo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Illumina.

“Having a robust surveillance effort in place is critical to understanding how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving, and how our public health response needs to adapt,” said Dr. James Lu, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and President of Helix. “By bringing together the strengths of Helix, Illumina, and the CDC, we were able to quickly evaluate the prevalence of this new variant and take learnings from this effort to better and more proactively characterize future strains that will emerge.”

Helix and Illumina are expanding the scope of their collaboration to examine a higher volume of samples on an ongoing basis for both the presence of B.1.1.7 and new strains. This will empower public and private entities to react quickly to any potential changes in pathogenicity of the virus or effectiveness of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

About Illumina

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 connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Helix

Helix is the leading population genomics company operating at the intersection of clinical care, research, and genomics. Its end-to-end platform enables health systems, life sciences companies, and payers to advance genomic research and accelerate the integration of genomic data into clinical care. Powered by one of the world’s largest CLIA / CAP next-generation sequencing labs and its proprietary Exome+^® assay, Helix supports all aspects of population genomics including recruitment and engagement, clinically actionable disease screening, return of results, and basic and translational research. In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Helix has launched a sensitive and scalable end-to-end COVID-19 test system to meet the needs of health systems, employers, governments, and other organizations across the country. Learn more at www.helix.com.

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FAQ

What is Illumina's collaboration with Helix about?

Illumina's collaboration with Helix focuses on enhancing U.S. surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants through genomic sequencing.

What variant has Illumina and Helix identified in the U.S.?

They have identified the B.1.1.7 variant, also known as the UK variant, in multiple samples across California and Florida.

How does the collaboration impact public health response?

It aims to provide timely data on variant prevalence, allowing public health authorities to adapt their strategies effectively.

What support does this initiative receive?

The initiative is supported by the CDC, highlighting its importance for national public health.

What technologies are being utilized in this collaboration?

Illumina's sequencing technology combined with Helix's COVID-19 testing capabilities are utilized for genomic surveillance.