Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN), a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function announced that its Board of Directors thoroughly reviewed Roche’s unsolicited tender offer with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors and unanimously determined that the $44.50per share cash offer is grossly inadequate in multiple respects, dramatically undervalues Illumina and is contrary to the best interests of Illumina’s stockholders.

Accordingly, the Board recommends that stockholders not tender any of their shares to Roche. The Company filed today a Schedule 14D-9 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) detailing the reasons for its rejection. The letter sent today byIllumina to the Chairman of Roche also appears below.

“It is the Board’s unanimous belief that Roche’s offer dramatically undervalues Illumina and fails to reflect the value of the Company’s unique leadership position and future growth prospects,” said Jay Flatley, President & Chief Executive Officer. “Illumina has established itself as the innovation and market leader in tools for genetic analysis, with a proven track record of profitability and outperformance, resulting in significant value creation. Our industry is nascent, with the promise and potential to experience extraordinary growth in the years ahead as genetic information becomes broadly applied beyond molecular biology research, and into medical diagnostics, reproductive health and cancer management. As the growth of this industry accelerates, Illumina is singularly positioned to expand its market leadership, and to deliver value to our stockholders that is far superior to Roche’s offer.”

The specific reasons Illumina’s Board recommends stockholders reject Roche’s offer, which are detailed in its 14D-9 filing, include:
1) The Offer is Grossly Inadequate and Dramatically Undervalues Illumina’s Industry-Leading Position and Growth Opportunities
2) The Timing of the Offer is Blatantly Opportunistic and Does Not Reflect Illumina’s Strong Platform of New Products and Pipeline
3) The Offer Fails to Capture Illumina’s Value as an Enabler of Personalized Healthcare
4) Roche’s Tactics Seek to Disadvantage Illumina’s Stockholders
5) The Offer Values Illumina at a Price Below Recent Trading Levels
6) The Offer’s Conditions Create Significant Uncertainty and Risk
7) Illumina Has Received Inadequacy Opinions from Its Financial Advisors

About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA and protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paving the way for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.