Roche set to acquire all outstanding shares of Illumina, Inc. for $44.50 per share in cash, or an aggregate of approximately $5.7 billion on a fully diluted basis. This offer represents a 64 per cent premium over Illumina’s stock price on December 21, 2011 – the day before market rumours about a potential transaction between Roche and Illumina drove Illumina’s stock price significantly higher – a 61 per cent premium over the one-month historical average and a 43 per cent premium over the three-month historical average of Illumina’s share price, both as of December 21. It also represents a 30.1x multiple of Illumina’s projected forward earnings based upon analysts’ current consensus estimates for 2012.

Together, the capabilities of Roche’s Diagnostics Division and Illumina, a leading provider of integrated systems for DNA sequencing, will strengthen Roche’s position in Sequencing and Microarrays to address the growing demand for genetic/genomic solutions. In addition, Roche’s extensive diagnostics experience and global presence will help accelerate the transition of DNA sequencing into clinical and routine diagnostics.

DNA sequencing is expected to help to discover complex biomarkers that could become companion diagnostics and be paired with specific treatments in the long-term.

Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche Group, said, “Roche’s all-cash offer of $44.50 per share represents full and fair value for Illumina and we expect that Illumina’s shareholders will welcome the opportunity to sell their shares at a significant premium to current market prices. It is our strong preference to enter into a negotiated transaction with Illumina, and we remain willing to engage in a constructive dialogue with Illumina to jointly develop an optimal strategy for maximizing the value of our combined business.”

Roche has made multiple efforts to engage with Illumina in order to reach a negotiated transaction, but Illumina has been unwilling to participate in substantive discussions. Roche has therefore decided to promptly commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Illumina for $44.50 per share in cash. In addition, Roche will nominate a slate of highly qualified, independent candidates for election to Illumina’s Board of Directors and propose certain other matters for the consideration of Illumina’s shareholders at Illumina’s 2012 annual meeting, which, if adopted, would result in Roche nominated directors comprising a majority of the Illumina board.

Daniel O’Day, COO, Roche Diagnostics Division, said, “The proposed acquisition will strengthen Roche’s current offering in the Life Science market by providing complementary solutions to our current portfolio. Our ability to offer a total solution to researchers will help enable the discovery of complex new biomarkers improving drug discovery and the selection of patients most likely to respond to a targeted treatment with high clinical relevance. In addition, by building on Illumina’s capabilities Roche will be able to use its scale, global distribution and diagnostic test development expertise to develop new diagnostic tests that serve patients and customers even more effectively.”

Roche intends to combine its existing Roche Applied Science business with Illumina and move the business area’s headquarters to San Diego, California. Roche also plans to maintain operations in Penzberg, Germany, the current headquarters of Roche Applied Science.

Roche’s offer will be subject to customary conditions, including the tender of a majority of Illumina’s shares of common stock. The offer will be financed from available cash on Roche’s balance sheet and borrowings under its credit facilities and therefore will not require a financing condition.

Greenhill & Co., LLC and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Roche and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel.