Illumina, Tempus AI partner to drive genomic testing beyond cancer

Illumina and Tempus AI announced a new collaboration aimed at advancing the clinical adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) outside of cancer care. By combining Illumina’s AI technologies with Tempus’ vast multimodal datasets, the partners plan to develop genomic algorithms and create evidence packages to demonstrate the value of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and other molecular tests in diseases beyond oncology. Their long-term goal is to standardize these advanced diagnostics across all major therapeutic areas, enabling more precise and effective treatment selection.

While genomic testing has seen strong uptake in oncology, its broader use in areas like cardiology, neurology, and rare diseases has lagged behind due to systemic challenges. Tempus’ recent $600 million acquisition of Ambry Genetics signaled its intent to diversify its testing capabilities into new clinical areas. CEO Eric Lefkofsky emphasized the massive untapped potential of precision medicine, calling current adoption levels just the “tip of the iceberg.” By joining forces, Illumina and Tempus aim to accelerate the shift toward data-driven, personalized healthcare across the full spectrum of medical conditions.