Biotechnologie
Top 10 Biotech Big Data Bedrijven

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The more we learn about biology, the more we realize all we do not know. It started with the genomic revolution and the first human genome sequenced in the early 2000s.
Genomics has now been joined by other datasets like transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome, etc. forming a new “multiomics” science. We discussed in further detail this evolution in “Multiomics Are The Next Step In Biotechnology”.
These new tools have created a flood of data bringing detailed information about the inner activities of cells sometimes down to the atomic level. A key driver of this data growth has been the collapse of price of sequencing gene and other biological materials like proteins.

Bron: ResearchGate
This has created enthusiasm about “Big Data” potential in biotech, mimicking the concept of big data from other, more IT-driven fields.
Already in 2018, the magazine Barron’s was asking “Will Big Data Lead to Big Biotech Returns?” and the industry started to ask “Implementing Large-Scale Data Processing and Analysis for Bioprocessing”
Quite a few companies are well-positioned to benefit from the drive to create and analyze at-scale biological data.
AI Versmelt Met Big Data?
A new development in the last few years has been the emergence of AI. While AI made its way into public consciousness mostly in 2023, with LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT, the biotech industry started to embrace AI many years before that.
And it makes sense because data and AI have a somewhat symbiotic relationship:
- Het trainen van AI-modellen vereist veel data van hoge kwaliteit en annotaties.
- AI’s kunnen helpen enorme datasets te sorteren zonder directe menselijke tussenkomst en de verbanden leggen waar handmatige analyse niet mogelijk zou zijn.
The result is that today, a lot of the previously big data-focused companies in the biotech industry are also turning into AI companies.
Contrary to some AI applications still looking for a business model (like image generation), drug discovery and medical research have a pretty straightforward path from AI model to monetization.
Top 10 Big Data Biotech Aandelen
1. Illumina
(ILMN )
Illumina is the leading genomics company, by far the largest and most established in the industry, with $1.2B in revenues, which grew 11% CAGR in the last 5 years.
This also makes it the prime provider of genomic data to the entirety of the biotech industry.
Like most genome sequencing companies, Illumina makes money when selling sequencers but mostly when selling the consumables used by the sequencers. Revenue per machine usually grows over time as it is progressively used to full-time capacity.
The company’s new genome sequencer model, NovaSeqX, is a hit, with 352 in 2023. This has accelerated the adoption of mass genome sequencing among Illumina’s clients with more multi-omics analyses and a larger scale for single-cell and spatial analyses.
NovaSeqX sales come on top of a very large genome sequencer segment, with more than 25,000 systems installed.

Bron: Illumina
Grail Problemen
When discussing Illumina, a long explanation is required for a new genomics application, cancer detection in a blood sample called liquid biopsy.
Illumina worked on developing this technology and then spun it off into a company called Grail.
Grail is very successful from a technical and commercial standpoint. In Q2 2023, 7,500 providers prescribed Grail’s tests, passing the 100,000 tests performed milestone. It also detected 92% of cancer relapse across 6 different blood cancers.
Several years later, Illumina would reacquire this company at a much higher price.
This caused several problems. First, regulatory authorities in both the USA and the EU raised concerns about monopoly risk, with Illumina the supplier of genome sequencing machines to many of Grail’s competitors. This resulted in a €432M fine from the EU.
Another set of problems came from the conditions of the costly Grail spin‑off, money raising, and re‑absorption into Illumina.
Activist-investor Carl Icahn has attacked the company’s board and implied that potential dishonest or malicious dealings were done in favor of insiders against the interest of the company’s shareholders . The SEC was also investigating the question . You can also read more about these suspects and accusations in this series of articles by Non‑G











