Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) (“the Company”), a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function, today confirmed that Roche (RHHBY.PK) has commenced its previously announced unsolicited tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Illumina’s common stock for $44.50 per share in cash.

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 (the “Company”), announced today that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted a Rights Agreement, pursuant to which one preferred stock purchase right will be distributed as a dividend on each share of the Company’s common stock held of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2012 (the “Rights”). Initially, the Rights will be represented by the Company’s common stock certificates, or by the registration of uncertificated shares of common stock in the Company’s share register, and will not be exercisable.

Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) today announced the completion of an underwritten public offering of 14,950,000 shares of its common stock, including 1,950,000 shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of an over-allotment option previously granted to the underwriters. All of the shares were offered by Sequenom at a price to the public of $4.15 per share. The gross proceeds to Sequenom from this offering were approximately $62.0 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by Sequenom. Sequenom anticipates using the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general administrative expenses.

AssureRx Health, Inc., announced today that its laboratory has been certified by the New York State Department of Health, ensuring that patients throughout New York State have access to the GeneSightRx® testing program through their personal prescribing clinician. With the approval from New York State, the AssureRx Health laboratory is now certified to analyze DNA samples for pharmacogenomic testing in all 50 U.S. states.

Abbott today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011; e.g., worldwide sales increased 4.1 percent to $10.4 billion, including a favorable 0.2 percent effect of foreign exchange. Emerging markets sales were $2.5 billion, representing nearly 25 percent of total sales, with particularly strong growth in Nutritionals, Vascular and Diagnostics.

Swiss drug giant Roche Holding Ltd. made a hostile offer for Illumina Inc. that values the DNA sequencing company at $5.7 billion, in a move that underscores growing interest in the competitive field of gene sequencing.

PerkinElmer, Inc., (NYSE:PKI) a global leader focused on improving the health and safety of people and the environment, today announced that on Thursday, February 2, 2012, after market close, the Company will release fourth quarter 2011 results. The Company will also host a conference call on February 2, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss these results. Robert F. Friel, chairman and chief executive officer, and Andy Wilson, senior vice president and chief financial officer will host the conference call.

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, tonight acknowledged the announcement by Roche (RHHBY.PK) that Roche has made an unsolicited acquisition proposal and intends to commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Illumina’s common stock for $44.50 per share in cash.

Aria Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics company, announced that it is initiating a blinded, multicenter clinical trial that compares its non-invasive prenatal test with the standard first-trimester screening test (serum screening and nuchal translucency ultrasound alone and in combination) to detect Trisomy 21, which is associated with Down syndrome. Aria’s test, which is currently in development, uses a directed, non-invasive approach to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis in maternal blood for evaluation of common fetal trisomies linked to genetic disorders.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced that on Jan. 17, 2012, its board of directors approved the initiation of quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders and declared the first cash dividend in the company’s history.

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana), a member of the Roche Group, today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Bayer Bayer Pharma AG (Bayer) to develop a molecular companion diagnostic test intended to identify patients most likely to benefit from a novel Bayer antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Ventana’s diagnostic immunohistochemistry platform aims to analyze the expression level of certain tumor targets serving as biomarkers in clinical studies for patient selection. This will support the development of novel products in the field of oncology therapy and underscores Roche’s commitment to personalized healthcare. This news comes on the heels of two separate companion diagnostic strategic collaborative agreements Ventana recently announced with Pfizer, Inc. and Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYGN) today announced it has obtained an exclusive license to intellectual property covering the analysis of the RAD51C gene for risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. In several studies, mutations in the RAD51C gene have been identified and associated with an increased risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Luminex Corporation (Nasdaq: LMNX) today announced that it expects to report results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011 on Monday, February 6, 2012. A press release announcing the results is scheduled for release after the close of trading.

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) today announced that it has signed an agreement with DaAn Gene, a leading Chinese company in molecular in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), to form Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostics, a joint venture diagnostics business in China. The move is expected to contribute to the early diagnosis of oncology, infectious diseases and genetic diseases. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX), announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BGI, the world’s largest genomics organization, to enter into a strategic co-development and co-marketing collaboration. The non-exclusive partnership will aim to develop and commercialize a portfolio of plant, crop, and livestock microarrays for genotyping analysis, spanning applications such as marker-assisted trait selection, parentage, quality control, and traceability.